Today's WORD on Journalism: Burma

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Burma

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First Things First

“At its very first session, in 1946, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 59(I) which states: ‘Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and ... the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.’

“ARTICLE 19 considers freedom of expression as a cornerstone right—one that enables other rights to be protected and exercised. The full enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression is central to achieving individual freedoms and developing democracy and plays a critical role in tackling the underlying causes of poverty.

“It makes electoral democracy meaningful and builds public trust in administration. Access to information strengthens mechanisms to hold governments accountable for their promises, obligations and actions. It not only increases the knowledge base and participation within a society but can also secure external checks on state accountability, and thus prevent corruption that thrives on secrecy and closed environments.

“Freedom of expression and freedom of information are crucial to democracy and the enjoyment of other rights. The importance of freedom of expression was particularly emphasised by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights which stated:

“‘Freedom of expression is a cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests. It is indispensable for the formation of public opinion. It is also a conditio sine qua non for the development of political parties, trade union, scientific and cultural societies and, in general, those who wish to influence the public. It represents, in short, the means that enable the community, when exercising its opinions, to be sufficiently informed. Consequently, it can be said that a society that is not well informed is not a society that is truly free.’”

—Agnes Callamard,
executive director, ARTICLE 19

“Burma: Role of freedom of expression in democratisation processes,”
March 29, 2012

NOTE: Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s long-imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader, and her supporters won sweeping victories in last week's national elections, taking 40 of 45 contested legislative seats. See Washington Post.

Thanks to alert WORDster Dan Kubiske

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