World: Media Wars

Le 28 novembre 2011 par IvoireBusiness - The Declaration of Windhoek is a statement of free press principles that was put together by newspaper journalists in Africa during a United

Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seminar on promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press in Windhoek, Namibia from April 29th to May 3rd in the year 1991. It is celebrated worldwide each year on May 3rd. The document calls for Free, Independent, Pluralistic Media worldwide that characterizes free press as essential to democracy as an essential human right. The goal is to take advantage of an opportunity to celebrate the basic principles of press freedom. Also it is a chance to evaluate Press Freedom in different countries, and to defend the Media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Arthur Siegel, a social science professor at York University in Toronto believes there are four levels of Propaganda or ways of sharing information through the Media. The first level is an article that is a complete lie or a story that was falsely made up. The second level is an article that is a believable lie or a story that sounds like it could really be true. The third level is an article that is based on the truth, but fails to reveal all the facts relevant to the story. The fourth level and most productive is an article based on the truth. It represents only the facts in the story offering a clear picture of events giving power to the People to draw their own conclusions.
The struggle continues for journalists that seek answers to stories that societies need to be informed about. The People have a right to decide rather they want to reject or receive the information being provided through the Media. Domination is not just based on physical supremacy. A lack of Freedom of the Press creates an atmosphere where the minds of the People is dominated, and forced to accept only what is being provided to them.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is waging a global campaign to combat impunity. The organization believes that murder is the ultimate form of censorship. The Committee to Protect Journalists effectively warns journalists and news organizations where attacks on Press Freedom are occurring. CPJ organizes and works through diplomatic channels to effect change. info@cpj.org

Adina Queen Le Gare