Related Material - Policies        Universal Declaration of Human Rights        UNESCO's Constitution        Resolution of UNESCO's General Conference        Role And Functions Of Public Service Broadcasting          Universal Declaration of Human Rights   Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless frontiers". (article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948)        UNESCO's Constitution   When adopting the Constitution in November 1945, UNESCO's founders set the agenda for the Organization's action in the field of communication for decades to come by mandating it to «promote the free flow of ideas by word and image». UNESCO's Constitution stresses the need for information and communication within and between nations. It links the free flow of ideas to the broader objective of preventing wars and «constructing the defenses of peace» by «advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples» so that «ignorance of each other's ways and lives...suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world» no longer be a direct cause of conflict. Since its inception, UNESCO's activities to promote the free flow of ideas have evolved and adapted to global political, economic and technological changes. Click here to read the full text of the Constitution!        Resolution of UNESCO's General Conference   Resolutions concerning Freedom of Expression and Democracy "Promotion of press freedom in the world" (Resolution 4.3 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-sixth session, November 1991) "Role and functions of public service broadcasting" (Resolution 4.6 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-seventh session, November 1993) "Support to cultural and educational activities undertaken by public service broadcasting, media professionals and journalists to reduce violence in the media" (Resolution 4.5 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-eighth session, November 1995) "Promotion of independent and pluralist media" (Resolution 4.6 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-eighth session, November 1995) "Promoting the free flow of information and the development of communication" (Medium-Term Strategy 1996-2001 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-eighth session, November 1995) "Contributing to conflict prevention and post-conflict peace-building"(Medium- Term Strategy 1996-2001 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-eighth session, November 1995) "Regulations for the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize" (Decision 3.4.2 adopted by the Executive Board at its 151st session, June 1997) "Condemnation of Violence Against Journalists" (Resolution 29 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-ninth session - November 1997) NGOs/UNESCO Resolutions        Role And Functions Of Public Service Broadcasting   Resolution 4.6 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-seventh session - 1993 (Resolution adopted on the report of Commission IV at the Twenty-eighth plenary meeting, on 13 November 1993) The General Conference, Recalling 25 C/Resolution 104, also contained in the Medium-Term Plan (1990-1995), which lays emphasis on the promotion of 'the free flow of ideas by word and image ... at international as well as national levels', Recalling also 26 C/Resolution 4.1, in which it invites the Director-General 'to examine and pursue concrete measures to encourage the freedom of the press and the independence, pluralism and diversity of public, private and other media in all regions', Bearing in mind the Declaration adopted by the Windhoek seminar on promoting an independent and pluralistic African press (29 April-3 May 1991), which stresses in particular that 'the worldwide trend towards democracy and freedom of information and expression is a fundamental contribution to the fulfilment of human aspirations', Also bearing in mind the Declaration adopted by the Alma Ata seminar on promoting independent and pluralistic Asian media (5-9 October 1992), which invites UNESCO in its specific project proposals 'to encourage the development of journalistically independent public service broadcasting in place of existing State-controlled broadcasting structures', Stressing the need, in this context, to explore more deeply the concept of public service by specifying the functions, particularly in the fields of education, science and culture, which it is meant to perform, and the means required, Recognizing the experience acquired in this respect by many countries of different cultures and in different regions, and considering the opportunities for co-operation that could ensue, Noting the urgent requests made in this respect by countries recently open to democracy, Invites the Director-General to support and promote comprehensive action focusing on the role and functions of public service, and in so doing to take the advice of the international, regional and national professional organizations concerned and of the National Commissions.  Return to Communication and Democracy main page     cii.webmaster@unesco.org © Copyright 1998 - UNESCO