OSCE media freedom representative launches guidebook on media self-regulation at Paris forum
PARIS, 17 April 2008 - Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, presented a new OSCE publication on media self-regulation today at the Eurasia Regional Forum for Media Development.
Organized by Internews Europe in Paris, the event brought together some 130 representatives from inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations to reinforce and strengthen their co-operation in the field of media development.
"I hope that our guidebook will encourage the further development of media self-regulation, boost the quality segment of journalism and, thus, help improve social support for media freedom in the OSCE area," Haraszti said in his address to forum participants.
"Media quality should never be a prerequisite to media freedom. On the contrary, ethical journalism can only develop in an atmosphere of guaranteed freedom. Journalists' self-restraint must be preceded and accompanied by governmental self-restraint in handling of media," added Haraszti.
The guidebook is a compilation of questions and answers on the topic of media self-regulation, with renowned international experts and practitioners contributing. The publication has been financed by the Governments of France, Germany and Ireland.
The Media Self-Regulation Guidebook is available in English, French and Russian from the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and is online at: www.osce.org/fom/publications.html.
During his visit, Haraszti also discussed the ongoing French reform to de-commercialize public-service broadcasters and re-finance them using a part of the commercial channels' revenues. He met with the French Broadcasting Regulatory Authority, the Commission for new public television and the head of the Europe department at the Foreign Ministry.
"If implemented correctly, the planned model could play a pioneering role in the new democracies of the OSCE, where the co-existence of public-service and commercial channels is in a deepening crisis," said Haraszti.