A free
press means a free people. To this end, the following principles, basic
to an unfettered flow of news and information both within and across
national borders, deserve the support of all those pledged to advance
and protect democratic institutions.
Censorship,
direct or indirect, is unacceptable; thus laws and practices restricting
the right of the news media freely to gather and distribute information
must be abolished, and government authorities, national or local, must
not interfere with the content of print or broadcast news, or restrict
access to any news source.
Independent
news media, both print and broadcast, must be allowed to emerge and
operate freely in all countries.
There
must be no discrimination by governments in their treatment, economic
or otherwise, of the news media within a country. In those countries
where government media also exist, the independent media must have the
same free access as the official media have to all material and facilities
necessary to their publishing or broadcasting operations.
States
must not restrict access to newsprint, printing facilities and distribution
systems, operation of news agencies, and availability of broadcast frequencies
and facilities.
Legal,
technical and tariff practices by communications authorities which inhibit
the distribution of news and restrict the flow of information are condemned.
Government
media must enjoy editorial independence and be open to a diversity of
viewpoints. This should be affirmed in both law and practice.
There
should be unrestricted access by the print and broadcast media within
a country to outside news and information services, and the public should
enjoy similar freedom to receive foreign publications and foreign broadcasts
without interference.
National
frontiers must be open to foreign journalists. Quotas must not apply,
and applications for visas, press credentials and other documentation
requisite for their work should be approved promptly. Foreign journalists
should be allowed to travel freely within a country and have access
to both official and unofficial news sources, and be allowed to import
and export freely all necessary professional materials and equipment.
Restrictions
on the free entry to the field of journalism or over its practice, through
licensing or other certification procedures, must be eliminated.
Journalists,
like all citizens, must be secure in their persons and be given full
protection of law. Journalists working in war zones are recognized as
civilians enjoying all rights and immunities accorded to other civilians.