DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLISHES FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL ISSUE OF `WORLD MEDIA HANDBOOK'

Press Release
PI/919

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLISHES FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL ISSUE OF `WORLD MEDIA HANDBOOK'

The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) is launching its 1995 directory of selected media and related data covering more than 180 countries. In some 350 pages the publication, entitled World Media Handbook, integrates a wealth of data not available from any other single source.

The Handbook sets out in a concise format demographic data and communication statistics, and provides a list of more than 1,300 daily newspapers, 1,900 magazines and other periodicals, 250 news agencies, some 1,200 broadcasting organizations, 400 journalists' associations, as well as more than 300 educational institutions teaching communications. Each entry provides the names of leading editorial personnel; mailing addresses; telephone and fax numbers; circulation figures and frequency of publication.

The media entries contained in the Handbook were drawn from various international directories and other sources, and verified locally -- during the second half of 1994 -- by the world-wide network of United Nations Information Centres and Services, as well as by the country offices of the United Nations Development Programme.

As a special commemorative issue of the United Nations fiftieth anniversary, the 1995 edition contains a new section entitled "Membership Brief". This section outlines each country's participation in the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, as well as in the boards and councils of particular organs and specialized agencies through which the United Nations system contributes to media development and the enhancement of international communication.

In a foreword to the Handbook, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali points out that the 50 years of the Organization's existence have been marked by "a sweeping democratization of the world order", which was manifest in the strength of the United Nations membership and the character of government in Member States. "Equally vivid", he adds, "has been the growth and expanse of democracy's truest protector and ally -- vigilant, responsible and compassionate media".

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United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information, Samir Sanbar, in a preface to the publication, states that the new edition will be helpful to those whose daily work depends on their ability to reach multicultural audiences through the mass media, and to those who deal with communications and international affairs, whether as practitioners, students or researchers.

Originally conceived as a reference tool for information professionals within the United Nations system, the World Media Handbook has acquired a major following among media practitioners, journalism and mass communication scholars, public affairs officers and representatives of non-governmental organizations worldwide. The first edition of the Handbook was selected for inclusion in the 1990 Notable Documents List of the American Library Association, which commended the United Nations for its concern for quality of communication between agencies and their constituencies. Its second edition was awarded an Honourable Mention in the 1993 competition for the Prize for Excellence in Information Services by the International Communication Association's Council of Communication Libraries.

Limited reference copies of the Handbook are available at the press documents counter on the third floor. It will also be available at United Nations depository libraries around the world. The next edition of the Handbook will be published in 1997.

The 1995 World Media Handbook (DPI/1614; Sales No.E.95.I.34; price $65) is available to the public at the United Nations Bookshops in New York and Geneva, or from:

United Nations Publications Sales Section 2 United Nations Plaza Room DC2-853, Dept. WMH Phone: (212)963-8302; 1(800)253-9646 Fax: (212)963-3489 E-Mail: publications@un.org

United Nations Publications Sales Office CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Phone: (41-22)917-2613/14 Fax: (41-22)917-0027

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