Promotion of Press Freedom in the World

The General Conference,

Recalling 25 C/Resolution 104 set out in the Medium­Term Plan for 1990­1995 and concerning Major Programme Area IV, 'Communication in the service of humanity',

Noting with satisfaction the decisions taken at the 136th session of the Executive Board concerning this major programme area,

Welcoming the scope provided in this programme for activities aimed at encouraging press freedom and the independence and pluralism of the private, public and other media in all regions,

Recognizing that a free, pluralist and independent press is an essential component of any democratic society,

Considering that the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press (29 April­3 May 1991), organized by UNESCO and the United Nations in Windhoek, Namibia, acted as a catalyst in the process of encouraging press freedom, independence and pluralism in Africa,

Congratulating the Director­General and the Secretariat on this initiative,

Noting with satisfaction the co­operation that developed at that meeting between UNESCO and the professional media associations,

Noting with interest the Declaration adopted by participants at the Windhoek seminar, which provides a reference for the development of independent and pluralist media in Africa,

Thanking the Director­General for his action aimed at providing positive follow­up to the recommendations made at the seminar, especially those mentioned in the annex to the Windhoek Declaration,

Invites the Director­General:

(a) to extend to other regions of the world the action taken so far in Africa and Europe to encourage press freedom and to promote the independence and pluralism of the media;

(b) to celebrate the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration adopted on 3 May 1991;

(c) to transmit to the United Nations General Assembly the wish expressed by the Member States of UNESCO to have 3 May declared 'International Press Freedom Day';

(d) to examine, with the United Nations Secretary­General, the possibility of issuing a joint report on the progress of press freedom in the world to mark this day.