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World Association of Press Councils,Office of the Press Secretary -
Philippine Information Agency
In association with the Philippine Press Institute, The National Press Club of
the Philippines, and the Association of Broadcasters in the Philippines.
Regional Conference on Press Freedom and Responsibility
Declaration
At the Regional Conference on Press Freedom and Responsibility in Manila on 4
and 5 May 1996 the delegates
Noting reports on the experience of several countries in the freedom
and responsibility of the media, including Australia. India, Nigeria, Pakistan
the Philippines and Sri Lanka;
Considering the ways in which societies harmonize freedom of the Press
with its responsibility;
Noting the role of press councils and similar bodies in the setting of
standards and the hearing of complaints while respecting the freedom of the
media;
Noting the trend towards monopoly in the media;
Noting increasing violence against persons working in the media;
Noting the need to ensure that healthy competition prevails in the media to
ensure freedom of choice to the public, and
Noting the utility of using case studies, such as those developed by
the Australian Press Council, in teaching ethical Issues;
The Delegates recommended:
1. That alt stales should support and apply Article 19. of .the, Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights .
2. That states should ensure that healthy competition prevails in the press
and other media, and this should be done by laws which are transparent,
objective and which can adjust to changing technology;
3. That international attention be drawn to the experience of those states
which have attained or are attaining economic progress white ensuring a high
regard for human rights, particularly free speech, and a free press and media,
for example Japan and now India and the Philippines, and
4. That the widespread use of case studies for the teaching of ethical and
professional standards be encouraged;
5. That government should take adequate steps to protect the security of
persons working in the media;
6. That their appreciation be recorded to the conference organizers, their
staff and associates, the cooperating agencies, the Philippine Press Institute,
the National Press Club of the Philippines and the Association of Broadcasters
in the Philippines, as well as to the Honorable Alfredo S. Lim, Mayor of Manila,
the Honorable Hector R.R. Villanueva, Press Secretary in the Government of .the
Philippines and the Honorable Honesto M. Isleta, Press Undersecretary and PIA
Officer-in-Charge for their warm welcome and encouragement to the work of the
Regional Conference.
Done in the City of Manila, the fifth day of May. 1996.
HONORABLE JUSTICE P.B. SAWANT (India)
Vice-President, WAPC
Chairman, Indian Press Council
PROFESSOR DAVID FLINT (Australia)
Chairman, WAPC
Chairman, Australian Press Council
HONORABLE HONESTO M. ISLETA
Press Undersecretary,
PIA Officer-in-Charge
Government of the Philippines
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