DISCUSSION OF INFORMATION QUESTIONS CONTINUES IN FOURTH COMMITTEE

27 October 1995

Press Release
GA/SPD/66

DISCUSSION OF INFORMATION QUESTIONS CONTINUES IN FOURTH COMMITTEE

19951027 Members Praise Publicity Achievements, Consider Information Resources Insufficient

Delegates praised the work of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in bringing the message of peace, justice, democracy and development to the world, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its consideration this morning of questions relating to information.

Several speakers noted the excellent publicity that had been given to the United Nations global conferences and the fiftieth anniversary. The representative of Gabon said the only weak link in DPI's information strategy was insufficient resources. For the last 15 years there had been a negative growth in the Department's budget which seemed to be inversely proportionate to its mandate. Kuwait said all delegations should pay their arrears so the United Nations and DPI could discharge their functions. The Department could hardly be asked to do more if Member States did not meet their own obligations.

Representatives also told the Committee that disparities in information technology between industrialized countries and developing nations must be addressed. Lebanon said despite today's information explosion, a "more balanced and effective world information and communications system" was needed. Malaysia said information was a "powerful catalyst for change and development". Yet developing countries lacked sufficient information and communication infrastructure to become part of the global information-based society.

The representative of Cuba said his country was still being subjected to radio and television aggression by the United States. The broadcasts, which

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it had repeatedly condemned, flagrantly violated international law and the United Nations Charter and were designed to destabilize Cuba. The Committee should promote specific measures to end these actions.

The representatives of Yemen, Oman, Uruguay, Bulgaria, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Croatia, Ukraine and Indonesia also spoke.

The Committee will meet again this afternoon at 3 p.m. to continue its consideration of questions relating to information and is expected to take action on two draft resolutions and a draft decision on the issue.

Committee Work Programme

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to continue its consideration of questions relating to information. (For details see Press Release GA/SPD/65 issued 26 October.)

Statements on questions relating to information

AHMED SALLAM (Yemen) said information at the present time was a very vital matter in international relations and an important part of the work of the United Nations. Today, the world was witnessing a transitional period in the information field which required a new policy. This new information system should be based on credibility and accuracy to promote understanding and equity. Information links were a bridge of peace and cooperation among nations.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) would ably carry out a role for coordination among mass media within the framework of a coordinated information strategy. Freedom of the press was the real basis for democracy. Yemen welcomed the convening of the media seminar in Sana'a this coming January and the opening of the information centre in the country. He expressed full support for the information centre and pledged continued cooperation.

MOHAMED AL-HASSAN (Oman) thanked the DPI for its team efforts, particularly during the fiftieth anniversary. There had been many unjustified criticisms against the Organization, which did not reflect the actual situation, but must still be considered. The role of DPI was therefore even more important, because it had to correct misinformation about the United Nations and the issue had to be discussed collectively, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the Organization.

The information centre in his country's region should have an impact on cooperation between the Committee and all areas of DPI. There were a number of programmes over which the Committee on Information had no mandate and that situation should not continue. Political and religious plurality were important, but not exclusive. There must be a framework to respect different cultural and religious differences. His Government supported the rule of law and recognized the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their affairs. Last year, apartheid had been ended peacefully through an international consensus. The world must work towards ending other scourges including intolerance and terrorism, which threatened peace. Another scourge was exclusiveness. It was time to launch an information campaign against terrorism, intolerance, and xenophobia, which could be just as effective as the campaign against apartheid and racism.

EDGARDO VALDES (Cuba) said he hoped that cooperation between the Committee on Information and DPI would enable progress on the road to a new

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information and communication order without imbalances. In the fiftieth anniversary year of the United Nations, there was a unique opportunity to eliminate imbalances, which particularly affected developing countries.

He said Cuba was still being subjected to radio and television aggression, which it had repeatedly condemned. Once again, Cuba condemned the illegal television and radio broadcasts by the United States, which flagrantly violated international law and the United Nations Charter. Condemnations and decisions by specialized agencies were being disregarded, as was Cuba's request for discussions. The objective of those broadcasters was to destabilize Cuba. More than $11 million per year was being spent on television aggression against Cuba. The International Frequency Registration Board had issued a decision and many international organizations had condemned the broadcasts. Cuba once again reaffirmed its strong resolve to respond to such aggression and to continue working for the elimination of information imbalances and to promote the decolonization of information. This Committee should not close its eyes to those realities, but must unite to promote specific measures to end these actions.

GUSTAVO ALVAREZ GOYOAGA (Uruguay) said the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations was a opportunity to assess the effectiveness of its message. At a time of fiscal restraint in the Organization, it was important not to squander resources but also not cut the financing of effective information programmes under the pretext of balancing the figures.

He went on to note a number of DPI programmes which he described as very effective. The "excellent" one-minute videos on United Nations history which were being broadcast on television, were up-to-date, quick, interesting and popular with the public. He supported the expansion of access to the INTERNET and to the Dag Hammerskold Library. The information centres were also effective, particularly those in developing countries. He supported their integration with the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), following consultation with host countries and UNDP. There should be no restrictions on public tours to the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber, even when those bodies were in session. Such tours were helpful in disseminating the work of the Organization and encouraged transparency. He also supported the strategies outlined in the paper annexed to the report of the Committee on Information.

IVAN MAXIMOV (Bulgaria) said his country was fully supportive of the unanimously expressed desire of Member States for the reform of the United Nations to enable it to meet future challenges. The United Nations' public information activities appeared to be of new, paramount importance for the promotion of the central role of the Organization and in gaining support for the United Nations. In the emerging area of global telecommunications, the United Nations should guarantee that all Member States had access to the information.

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Bulgaria had established the basic conditions for the diversification of its mass media, based on democratic principles. Information structures of the United Nations had contributed to the processes of democratization in the newly-emerging independent States, as well as in countries of transition. He commended DPI for its annual training programme for broadcasters and journalists from developing countries.

He expressed satisfaction with DPI's establishment of closer partnership and cooperation with other Secretariat departments and bodies of the United Nations system to create a coordinated and unified public information strategy. The approach had enabled the Department to respond adequately to the growing public interest in the international community in peace-keeping, development, human rights and other major activities. He also praised the Department for its coverage of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations.

He said cooperation between the Committee on Information and DPI should continue, with examination of United Nations public information policies. Bulgaria supported the innovative and conceptual approach to the various tasks in the information field embarked upon by DPI, and more active DPI involvement in inter-departmental consultations and coordination in priority areas such as preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peace-keeping and post conflict peace- building. DPI should review its work with a view to redeploying staff from lower- to higher-priority information tasks and projects. Since radio was one of the most cost-effective media, DPI should be provided with the necessary financial resources. The integration of information centres with UNDP field offices should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Bulgaria was keenly interested in establishing an information component within the UNDP office in Sofia and looked forward to successfully concluding talks with the Secretariat on the issue.

EVGUENI S. MENKES (Russian Federation) referring to current discussions on a new information order, said that an area of greater concern was the current situation and disproportion in the information sphere. He understood the concern of the non-aligned States. A significant part of the activities of the Committee on Information was related to working out guidelines for United Nations information policy. Most of its attention went to peace- keeping operations, intensifying the activities of information centres and the introduction of state-of-the art technology. He urged that information on peace-keeping be intensified and DPI's role in creating information components on peace-keeping operations be expanded. The working paper contained in an annex to the report of the Committee on Information was food for thought.

He said that there was a scarcity of United Nations information publications issued in Russian. New information supplied by DPI and in the Secretary-General's report showed some signs of progress on the matter. He hoped that the tendency would be consolidated through joint efforts of the DPI staff and the information centre in Moscow. The Russian language was important to people in a number of countries. He hoped DPI would play its

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role in calling the attention of United Nations agencies to the information concerns of countries with economies in transition, specifically media coverage of the process going on in Central and Eastern Europe. Such activities could be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UNDP.

HICHAM HAMDAN (Lebanon) said the Department of Public Information had done a commendable job in preparing for the fiftieth anniversary commemoration and bringing the message of peace, justice, democracy and development to the entire world.

Despite today's information explosion, he said there was a need for "a more balanced and effective world information and communications system". Communication technology should be transferred from the developed to developing countries, creating a two-way information flow to promote equitable and objective coverage of international issues and peace and international understanding. Information should not be used as a means to promote half- truths, but to promote freedom of expression, democracy and human rights.

He said the achievements of DPI and the United Nations information centres were remarkable. Throughout the war, the information centre in Beirut remained open and Lebanon appreciated the dedication of United Nations staff. Through publications, press releases, briefings, radio and television broadcasts, and growing on-line computer information, DPI played a vital role in today's information network, providing a global forum for today's rapidly- changing world.

He said Lebanon appreciated the efforts of DPI and the Dag Hammarskjold Library to develop two depository libraries in his country this year. His delegation also welcomed the convening of a seminar for the Arab region in Sana'a, and supported DPI's efforts to develop a central broadcasting capacity in support of peace-keeping operations and humanitarian missions, as well as general public information needs. Lebanon was fully committed to promoting information and communication, and the expansion of the media sector during and after the war was a sign of recovery.

V. YOOGALINGAM (Malaysia) said communication was an important tool for helping people attain their political, socio-economic and cultural goals, unite them in awareness and aspiration and shape tomorrow. "Information was a mirror of today's realities and a powerful catalyst for change and development." Yet, developing countries, as a whole, lacked sufficient information and communication infrastructure to become part of the global information-based society. The situation was compounded by imbalanced reporting by the Western-controlled media, which in many instances, had usurped the privilege of the fourth estate to control information. While news of the needs of the rich and powerful abounded, the poor and disadvantaged third world was often ignored, their miseries sensationalized and their successes downplayed.

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International commitments to providing accurate information, including those mentioned in the Secretary-General's report was timely, given the United Nations increased role in promoting peace, democracy, and development. He noted with appreciation the efforts of Mr. Sanbar in establishing an interdepartmental working group on media strategies for peace-keeping and other field operations. He assumed it would ensure that basic information on safety, well being and organizational tasks were rightly addressed and conveyed in a timely fashion to the troop contributors in a balanced, coordinated way without placing any country at a disadvantage.

TEE BEE LOCK (Singapore) said information was reshaping the world, and the concept of responsibility needed greater study. Attention should also be focused on the kind and quality of information that was being spread. More information was not necessarily better information. The sheer volume of information available today questioned the very notion of a marketplace of ideas, because it made choices, fine discriminations, selectivity and the appreciation of nuances almost impossible.

She said restrictions were not only harmful but futile. But freedom of information was neither a complete license nor an absolute right. Like all freedoms, it must be balanced with certain responsibilities. An absolute standard was not only impractical, but potentially harmful. The greater technological ease with which information was disseminated must bring with it a more stringent standard of objectivity and accuracy to prevent harmful information from being spread. This was not a new idea -- in December 1952, the General Assembly opened for signature the Convention on the International Right for Correction, which entered into force in 1962. The Committee should consider how this Convention could be updated to take into account new technological developments.

She commended DPI efforts to promote greater awareness of the United Nations and its activities. However, more could be done, especially in examining means to ensure more responsible dissemination of information. The Department could look at how irresponsible criticisms of the United Nations could be better handled. Such criticisms had real consequences and were at the root of the current financial crisis. A more pro-active response was in order.

LJUBINKO MATESIC (Croatia) said that as communication technology advanced, it was necessary to facilitate the flow and access of information. The free flow of information was not only needed to facilitate economic development, but also to facilitate constructive interaction and communication among States and peoples; therefore, it was an important instrument in the promotion of peace and security.

He said since the dissolution of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the consequent dismantling of the information centre in Belgrade, Croatia had not been covered by a centre. Since the posts of the

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former information centre had not been abolished, careful consideration should be given to the possibility that Croatia, as a successor State, have at least one of these posts reserved for its benefit. This could best be accomplished by having this post assigned to the United Nations information service in Vienna, to service information needs of Croatia.

He said States should be called by their proper names, and not referred to, as was sometimes the case, as the "former Yugoslavia". That should be reflected in DPI press releases. His delegation understood that such problems were, to a large degree, a consequence of the confusion created by certain policies of the United Nations, and that the fault should not be laid at the doorsteps of DPI; however, DPI should be more vigilant.

While the activities of DPI could greatly benefit peace-keeping operations, he said those providing information to the international community about events in areas of peace-keeping operations needed to adhere strictly to the principles of accuracy and objectivity. An effort must be made to guarantee that individuals providing information were unbiased and did not distort information. His delegation appreciated the overall fine work of DPI.

YEVBEN V. KOZIY (Ukraine) said DPI's work in promoting the United Nations fiftieth anniversary had helped countries coordinate their own efforts. He noted the positive effects achieved by DPI's use of new information technologies, including the INTERNET, whose benefits had been clearly demonstrated during the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. The information centre in Kiev had also done very good work in disseminating information on United Nations work. The opening of a centre in Warsaw would be equally beneficial.

Referring to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he said proper attention needed to be given to the event, and he expressed deep gratitude to the Assistant Secretary-General of Public Information, Samir Sanbar, for his attention to the matter. The 10-year anniversary of the disaster would be observed with special events organized by DPI, including press conferences, photo exhibits and documentaries and television broadcasts. The event would not cause substantial costs to the United Nations, because expenses would be borne by the countries sponsoring the events. He noted the need for a project to protect journalists covering conflicts and events where there was political tension.

KOSKY ZAKARIA (Indonesia) said the dependence of developing nations on developed countries had been further aggravated due in large part to a denial of opportunities to improve indigenous capabilities and to utilize technological achievements. The role of the Committee could not be over- emphasized in the common determination to promote cooperation in all information-related activities and to establish the new world information and communication order, to be based on the principles of independence, progress, democracy and development. A just and equitable information system must be

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promoted, bearing in mind the substantial disparity of information between developed and developing countries. Building infrastructures was one way of redressing that gap. Equally important was the need to disseminate unbiased information.

He said his delegation was heartened by the strengthening of cooperation within the United Nations system, particularly between DPI and UNESCO's international programme for development of communications. The programme had played a vital role in devising a framework for effecting greater diversity and equality. He urged the intensification of coordination between DPI and UNESCO to realize the new world information and communication order. Activities of the non-aligned countries with UNESCO, the International Telecommunication Union and the Non-Aligned news agencies pool had enhanced media capabilities and had fostered the development of infrastructures.

He expressed appreciation for DPI's vital role in providing information concerning the Organizations' goals, activities and achievements during the fiftieth anniversary. Indonesia was pleased with DPI's efforts to update information capabilities and to disseminate factual and objective information, so that the world public would understand such issues as peace-keeping, disarmament, and international cooperation, with particular attention to development.

EMMANUEL MBA ALLO (Gabon) said rapid technological changes had highlighted the differences between States and the crucial role played by information in people's lives, which was why the Committee of Information had been created. Management of a new strategic world order to do away with inequities had not overcome the sharp increase in differences between countries. Africa did not have access to the improvements in information technology. Developing countries wanted to meet the information challenge, but many places in the world were media ghettos. In Africa the rights of people to present their own culture had not been exercised in a satisfactory manner, because they did not have the necessary resources.

It was time to add the missing link in the chain if the idea of a global village was to become a reality for all people and all regions. He paid tribute to UNESCO, which he said had enabled the developing countries to meet information challenges. He noted the valuable work of DPI, including its "excellent publicity" of the major United Nations international conferences and the fiftieth anniversary. He also commended the Department's work on human rights. The weak link in the information strategy was insufficient resources.

For the last 15 years there had been a negative growth in DPI, which seemed to be inversely proportionate to its mandate. Noting the opening of an information centre in Libreville, he said while such centres might be

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considered a luxury in some countries in developing nations they were often the only source of information about the United Nations and a valuable resource library.

MANSOUR AYYAD AL-OTAIBI (Kuwait) congratulated DPI for its very full coverage of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. In recent years, many changes had occurred and appropriate policies had to be adopted relating to the activities and programmes of DPI. All Member States should pay their arrears so that the United Nations and DPI could discharge their functions. One could hardly ask DPI to do more if Member States did not meet their own obligations. There was a significant imbalance in the area of communications technology, which hampered work to attain the Organization's objectives. Efforts should be stepped up to strengthen the information infrastructure of developing countries and to establish a new information and communication world order to enable a more sustained flow of information without any monopoly on it.

One of the main functions of DPI was to highlight successes. There were successes that the Organization was rightly proud of in the economic and social fields. The liberation of Kuwait was a model, which should be used in connection with defending the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Kuwait hoped that DPI would issue a pamphlet recording this historic, unprecedented triumph. Many others contributed to this success and it should be publicized to the world at large.

Statements on the question of Western Sahara

EL HASSANE ZAHID (Morocco) said that regarding the draft resolution on Western Sahara, the Committee had extended the deadline for the submission of draft resolutions to yesterday at 6 pm. At exactly that time, a draft was submitted. Morocco would like to thank all those delegations that did not co- sponsor this draft. The practice under which it was submitted ran contrary to the principles of transparency and for the consultations required to provide consensus resolutions. Morocco would like to ask that the draft be submitted exactly as it was submitted yesterday, with only the name of the single delegation that submitted it listed on the document. If there were subsequently co-sponsors, Morocco would urge them not to be co-sponsors, because it did not have the agreement of the Moroccan delegation. That should be done through the roster or the usual practice, or through the issuance of a revised text with the names of co-sponsors. Once the text was submitted, it could no longer have anything added to it; that could cause ethical problems, because there might be a temptation not to give the list of co-sponsors at the last minute. Once the text was received, it should not be changed. A revision should be circulated.

NACERDINE SAI (Algeria) said the draft resolution had been submitted in accordance with the usual practice. The Secretariat and the Chair had been

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adequately informed. He assured the friends of his delegation who had cooperated that there had been no withdrawal of the draft resolution.

Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) said that his country had not spoken about withdrawal of the draft. The draft had been submitted by the delegation. He had suggested that the text be presented in the language in which it was submitted. There were no co-sponsors at this time. He had never said Algeria had withdrawn the draft. He said the Committee Secretary should read out the list of co-sponsors.

Mr. SAI (Algeria) said that there had been no withdrawal of any co- sponsor. It was just a question of procedure.

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