[E-rundbrief] Info 993 - Right to inform and be informed - Dakar declaration

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 993 - The right to inform and be informed -
Declaration of the Assembly on the Right to Communication, Dakar -
February 11, 2011 - at the World Social Forum 2011.

Bad Ischl, 1.3.2011

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

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The right to inform and be informed

Declaration of the Assembly on the Right to Communication, Dakar -
February 11, 2011

We, actors in the field of alternative information as well as citizen
activists who use communication as a tool for social transformation:

Note that, in a global context:

- information is held in a stranglehold by political, economic and
industrial forces and is manipulated by the governments and States;

- freedom of expression is being denied, thwarted or repressed;

- there is little or no guarantee for an unfettered access to
information for all citizens;

- a violent repression is unleashed upon citizens and actors in the
field of information;

- information is being commodified and standardized;

- there is an increasing distrust by public opinion regarding
information conveyed by the mainstream media.

We also note, particularly in Africa:

- an almost total absence of laws favouring citizens’ access to
information;

- freedom of expression and freedom of the press being undermined by
repressive laws;

- hindrances and restrictions, if not outright censorship, placed upon
communities who wish to establish community media.

At the same time, we see new perspectives opening up, in the face of
this disturbing situation:

- a greater awareness and ability by citizens to participate in the
production and circulation of information in order to promote social
justice;

- the emergence of alternative media and the stepping unto the stage
of citizens who contribute to social and political change, as
evidenced by recent events in Tunisia and Egypt.

We declare that the right to communicate is a fundamental right and a
common good of humanity.

We commit ourselves to:

- defend, support and promote all initiatives that ensure and extend
the right to communication and information as a fundamental human right;

- building advocacy for a legislative and regulatory framework for
public, alternative and community media, including ensuring among
others a better right to airwave-access and broadcasting options;

- recognize and protect the actors and activists involved in
information and communication around the world;

- create and strengthen synergies between all actors and activists
working towards social transformation;

- promote accessibility and popular ownership/mastery of media and
information/communication technology by all citizens, without
restriction of gender, class or origin;

- promote mechanisms for ongoing communication between the various
actors, participants and organizers of social forums, including the
"extended" Social Forum as well as the various experiences of shared
communication.

- support the development and strengthening of community and
alternative media;

- combat censorship and guarantee freedom of expression on the Internet;

- work towards the elaboration of a model that ensures the viability,
sustainability and independence of the alternative media;

- give a central place to issues of communication rights in the
thematic spaces of social forums.

Action Plan:

- Center our information campaigns and awareness-raising activities on
key issues that are on the international agenda (Rio+20, G8, G20,
Palestine Forum, Durban, etc.).

- Organize a World Forum of Free and Alternative Media in 2012, as
part of the WSF process.

As actors of communication, we clearly state our support for the
Tunisian and Egyptian peoples, we call on their governments to lift
censorship and to stop the repression against all citizens and actors
in the field of information.

We also call on all actors of social change and to unite our forces in
the struggle for the right to information and communication, without
which no change is possible.

Participating organizations:

     * Abong (Brasilian association of NGOs) - Brasil
     * Action Jeunesse - Morrocco
     * African Klomeo renaissance - Nigeria
     * AK-Project France-Sénégal
     * Alai - Agência Latinoamericana de Información - Ecuador
     * Alba TV Venezuela
     * Alternatives Canadá
     * Amarc World association of community radios
     * Aphad - Senegal
     * Arcoiris TV - Italy
     * Babels
     * Berlin Carré - Germany
     * Caritas - France
     * CIC Bata - Spain
     * Caritas (France)
     * CIC Bata (Espagne)
     * Cdtm72 (France)
     * Cedidelp (France)v
     * Ciranda International - Shared Communication
     * International Commons strategies group - Germany
     * Citim (France)
     * Communautique - Canada
     * Editions Charles Léopold Mayer - France
     * e-Joussour - Morrocco
     * Federacion de sindicatos de periodistas - Spain
     * FocusPuller - Italy
     * Forum Alternatives Morrocco - FMAS
     * Fundacion Quepo - Spain
     * Giaba - Guinée Bissau
     * Guinée Culture - Guinea
     * HEKS - Senegal
     * IMC Africa
     * Imersao Latina - Brazil
     * Indymedia
     * Intervozes - Brazil
     * IES News Service - Palestine
     * IPS (Inter Press Service)
     * KebethCache women resource center - Nigeria
     * Maison des citoyens du monde (France)
     * Maison des droits de l’homme (France)
     * Maison du Monde d’Evry (France)
     * May first / People link - USA
     * Mission for Youth - Uganda
     * NIGD
     * Pambazuka (Afrique)
     * Queens Magazine - Nigeria
     * Revista Forum - Brasil
     * Ritimo - France
     * Rural Health women Day - Nigeria
     * Saharareporters.com - Nigeria
     * Social Watch - Italy
     * Solafrika
     * Soylocoporti - Brasil
     * Support Initiative For sustainable development - Nigeria
     * Survie - France
     * TIE - Brasil
     * TV Star - Senegal
     * UnisCité - France
     * UPO - Spain
     * Vecam - France
     * WarriorsSelf-Help group - Kenya
     * WSFTV

Contacts: Info_fsmdakar at ritimo.org

Translated from French by Grégoire Seither / Babels

http://www.ciranda.net/fsm-dacar-2011/article/the-right-to-inform-and-be

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Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
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fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
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