SPEAKERS IN INFORMATION COMMITTEE URGE DPI TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO MARSHAL MODERN TECHNOLOGY
Press Release
PI/946
SPEAKERS IN INFORMATION COMMITTEE URGE DPI TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO MARSHAL MODERN TECHNOLOGY
19960509 See Department as Making Optimal Use of Shrinking ResourcesThe Department of Public Information (DPI) was urged this morning to continue its efforts to marshal modern technologies, improve the outreach of United Nations information centres, and disseminate information on peace- keeping operations, in order to better inform world public opinion on the work and goals of the Organization.
In statements before the Committee on Information, speakers praised DPI's work in adapting to rapidly changing circumstances in the political and economic landscape, as well as to the advance of electronic technologies. Operating in a context of shrinking resources, owing to the United Nations financial crisis, the Debarment was seen as making optimal use of those resources.
Coming in for special appreciation were DPI's efforts in connection with publicizing the course and goals of several major world Conferences, as well as of the United Nations fiftieth anniversary and commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl.
The view was also expressed that, while expanding into the sphere of electronic publishing, the Department should not lose sight of the value of conventional media, including radio. It was urged to give special attention to diminishing the information gap between developed and developing countries, while promoting the communications infrastructure and access of the latter.
Statements were made by the representatives of Belarus, Uruguay, Jamaica (for the CARICOM States members of the Committee), Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and Chile.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 10 May, to continue its general exchange of views.
Committee Work Programme
The Committee on Information met this morning to continue its general exchange of views and its review of United Nations public information activities. It was also to focus on efforts to establish a more just and effective world information and communication order, aimed at strengthening peace and international understanding, and based on the free and balanced dissemination of information.
Statements
ULADZIMIR PAULOVICH (Belarus) said that his Government was grateful to the Department of Public Information (DPI) for its improved post-Chernobyl information activities, and to Assistant Secretary-General Samir Sanbar and DPI's staff for their cooperation and significant help with preparations for and the holding of the International Day commemorating the tenth Anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. He hoped the problems of millions of people who were affected by Chernobyl would receive attention in United Nations publications. He invited DPI to take part in the next meeting of the United Nations Quadripartite Committee for the coordination of post-Chernobyl cooperation and give an update on activities aimed at increasing public awareness of long-term consequences of the accident. Wider and balanced dissemination of reliable, unbiased information and scientific data was needed. Excessive emphasis was still being given to the technological aspects of the safety of nuclear reactors like Chernobyl's rather than people-related problems. It was a terrible humanitarian and environmental disaster. Belarus -- the worst affected State, bore the crushing burden.
Despite a reduction in resources, DPI was still carrying out its work load, he continued. His delegation shared the concern of DPI's leadership over budget cuts and appreciated the resourcefulness and perseverance of its staff. He noted the Department's utilization of advanced printing techniques and the establishment of a new level of inter-agency partnership and cooperation. The Department's work on the fiftieth anniversary celebrations gave a testimony to its high level of professionalism.
Increased activity by the United Nations office in Minsk, particularly its information component, had resulted in soaring interest in United Nations issues in Belarus, he said. His Government supported DPI efforts to integrate information centres with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) field offices. However, the views of the host countries should be taken into account during the decision-making process. He noted progress in disseminating information on development issues through regular publications and topical television and radio programmes. The DPI should intensify its efforts to highlight economic problems facing countries with economies in
Committee on Information - 3 - Press Release PI/946 5th Meeting (AM) 9 May 1996
transition, he said. Broader public outreach would be facilitated by issuing publication materials in the local language.
GUSTAVO ALVAREZ-GOYOAGA (Uruguay) said the report on the United Nations information centres had been extremely useful. There was a focus on streamlining the use of resources and the integration of the information centres with the UNDP field offices. However, it was important that any structural modifications be studied on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the views of the countries concerned. It would be helpful to have some facts and figures on gains realized from the integration process.
He asked what achievements had been registered by the 15 centres which had been integrated with the UNDP offices. Were those centres, in effect, without leadership? The report cited the intention to strengthen the integrated centres. Did that mean there would be no effort to strengthen the non-integrated centres? As a country which did not have an information centre in its own territory, Uruguay could not but demand that efforts to achieve savings should not affect resources allocated to the various centres.
The DPI's efforts to upgrade in-house publishing capability was praiseworthy, he said. The pursuit of electronic publication might prove to be money well spent. There had been cases of improper distribution of publications in certain States. Reports should be prepared on the success of the marketing efforts of United Nations publications. The improvement in the guided tours service at Headquarters was also laudable, he added.
CHERRYL GORDON (Jamaica), speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said one of the greatest challenges facing DPI was the need to keep abreast of technological advances at a time of increased public interest in the United Nations. The Organization needed to adopt a more creative and aggressive marketing strategy to meet that challenge and counter the alarming degree of negativity and misconception displayed by a majority of the public towards the Organization. She expressed gratitude for DPI's efforts to respond to the challenge. The one-page notes titled "Setting the Record Straight: Some facts about the United Nations" were extremely effective. The "Blue Books" series and the "UN Chronicle" were invaluable material for stimulating ideas on the United Nations role.
However, despite the Department's valiant efforts, its information still seemed no match for the flood of negative and inaccurate information being produced by the external media, she said. Despite many innovations, the material emanating from the United Nations was still seen as being geared more towards academics, delegations and United Nations-affiliated journalists. Although the designs of the covers of the "UN Chronicle" were creative, its articles had not been as energetic and inspiring. For example, the lead article on the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat
Committee on Information - 4 - Press Release PI/946 5th Meeting (AM) 9 May 1996
II) could have included more photographs of cities of the world arranged to catch the reader's eye.
She said ways must be found to disseminate material which was easily and instantly absorbed by the public and which had commercial and aesthetic appeal. She welcomed the increased partnerships between the Department and external collaborators and wondered whether DPI could examine the possibility of entering into more arrangements with media companies to produce documentary dramas. They could be aired on national and international television, via cable television programmes such as the Discovery Channel and could be a source of revenue for the Department. United Nations history should not be portrayed as an academic analysis. More innovative programmes must be developed in collaboration with non-governmental and regional organizations, regional radio and television and the private sector.
KOSKY ZAKARIA (Indonesia) said the global dimension of information and communication had assumed paramount importance in addressing the challenges facing mankind. The age of information had transformed the world into a global village, affecting its politics, economies, social customs and traditions. Unfortunately, the gap between developed and developing countries continued to widen. A handful of States had a virtual monopoly on the gathering, analysis and dissemination of information. For too long, developing countries had been unable to gain access to advanced technology to promote their own development.
The serious imbalance in the flow and content of information had a negative impact on the efforts of developing countries to accelerate their political, economic and social progress while preserving their national and cultural identities, he continued. There must be a more effective world information and communications order to enable them to build the necessary infrastructures and marshall the human resources needed to meet their development goals.
In the current era, DPI's role in disseminating information on the United Nations was particularly relevant, he said. It should continue disseminating information on issues of special concern to developing counties, such as peace-keeping, disarmament, environment, international economic cooperation and development to enhance their public support for United Nations activities. More could be done to enhance cooperation between DPI and developing countries to promote a balanced and impartial flow of information.
Rapid technological advances had provided DPI with a unique opportunity to reach the public with the United Nations message, he went on. It was commendable that, despite financial constraints, the Department had upgraded its capabilities. In addition, the information centres played a crucial role in providing the world's people with timely, direct and comprehensive
Committee on Information - 5 - Press Release PI/946 5th Meeting (AM) 9 May 1996
information on many United Nations activities. He supported DPI's efforts to train journalists from developing countries. Indonesia supported the regional seminars on promoting a pluralistic and independent media, jointly sponsored by DPI and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
He said Indonesia appreciated DPI's publications, including the Blue Book series, the "World Media Handbook" and the "UN Chronicle". Publication of "Development Forum" should be continued, as it had proven to be highly beneficial for developing countries. "We remain confident that DPI will continue to render an indispensable service in its dynamic way of highlighting the successes, obstacles and challenges faced by the United Nations".
BYONG HYUN LEE (Republic of Korea) said that DPI, with its vast network of information centres and offices, continued to bear the paramount responsibility for carrying the United Nations message to the world. The rapidly shifting international environment, coupled with severe budgetary restraints, had forced the Department to identify new ways of carrying out its substantial and vital mandates. His delegation was impressed with DPI's initiatives to enhance its programmes, while remaining cost-effective. He welcomed the inauguration of the World Wide Web United Nations Home Page on the Internet. He also welcomed efforts to integrate the United Nations Information Centres with UNDP offices. The integration should be carried out in a way which enhanced the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the United Nations activities as a whole, particularly in developing countries and in countries with economies in transition.
In 1994 and 1995, his Government had invited journalists from around the world to share their experiences and exchange views in the new information age, he said. Such cooperation at the international level should be encouraged. The early involvement of DPI in peace-keeping efforts was important. Dissemination of information on such operations was important in both the host country and in troop-contributing countries in order to promote an awareness and understanding of United Nations peace-keeping. It was for this reason that last year his Government, in collaboration with DPI, had dispatched Korean television crews to cover and televise activities of United Nations Headquarters and such field missions as the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III).
NACERDINE SAI (Algeria) said World Press Freedom was observed with fervour each year in his country. It was a day consecrated by the blood of martyrs, who had been the victims of "bullets fired by assassins, drunk with blood". Other journalists had taken up the torch and were striding into battle. Day after day, newspapers were emerging throughout Algeria.
Committee on Information - 6 - Press Release PI/946 5th Meeting (AM) 9 May 1996
United Nations information strategies must constantly adapt to current needs, he said. The efforts of the Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information had breathed new dynamism into DPI. That was demonstrated in the Department's determination to acquire the most modern technology, to keep up with the information revolution.
He said the importance of the role played by the information centres was undeniable, particularly in the developing countries. They should be kept intact. Incorporation of those centres with UNDP field offices should be on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the views of the countries concerned. Quite a few countries, including his own, had made premises available free of charge.
He said the Dag Hammarskjold Library should become a reference centre for United Nations documentation. Its wherewithal and equipment should be enhanced to meet that goal. The principle of multilingualism must be respected within the United Nations, and all information materials should be translated into all official languages. That was a practical obligation, in view of the diversity of peoples requesting information on the United Nations.
WISESIRI HETTIARACHCHI (Sri Lanka) said that today, more than ever, the United Nations attracted the attention of the media. At times there was an extensive daily focus on what the United Nations was doing and that focus was, more often than not, on controversial, fast-moving events around the world. The perception of the public was therefore as important as the attitudes of governments. In that context, DPI's task was not easy, and one could not expect it to succeed completely in presenting the Organization in an entirely favourable light. The Department was faced with financial constraints as never before. However it has still accomplished much. Similarly, the role played by the United Nations information centres during 1995 had been remarkable, as had the promotion of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen and the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
He thanked the United Nations Information Centre in Colombo for the excellent work it had done during Sri Lanka's national programme of celebrations for the Organization's fiftieth anniversary. A mobile exhibition on the United Nations had travelled to villages throughout the country enabling students to learn about various United Nations programmes. Sri Lanka appreciated DPI's efforts to explore the development of an intergovernmental consultative mechanism to coordinate public information on peace-keeping operations and other field missions. The planning of information strategies in high-profile peace-keeping missions was almost as vital as the logistics of such operations.
YURIY SERGEYEV (Ukraine) said the role of DPI was becoming more valuable, owing to increasing public interest in the United Nations. During
Committee on Information - 7 - Press Release PI/946 5th Meeting (AM) 9 May 1996
the past year, DPI had provided high-level coverage of the World Summit for Social Development, the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, the Fourth World Conference on Women and many other programmes. He expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Sanbar and his staff for their efforts in connection with the commemoration of the Chernobyl accident. Those efforts had set a good precedent on how to minimize expenses for such activities.
He praised the increasing cooperation between DPI and other United Nations bodies, including UNDP. Those efforts helped avoid duplication and increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Such coordination was particularly important within United Nations field programmes in specific countries. The joint organization of regional seminars by DPI and UNESCO was another good example. The implementation of new technologies in United Nations field offices helped to keep the host countries informed. That was particularly important in view of the information gap between developed and developing countries.
The DPI was in a position to provide impartial information on the United Nations to the global public, he said. Its work could help balance one-sided views of an event and counter disinformation. It could also help to prevent or diminish problems, conflicts, and social and military confrontations. He supported DPI's work relating to the elaboration of a legal instrument to protect journalists. Special attention should be given to the dissemination of information on peace-keeping activities.
FERNANDO REYES-MATTA (Chile) said he agreed with Costa Rica's statement on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries. Despite current financial difficulties, DPI had handled such celebrations as the fiftieth anniversary extremely well. The Department was doing more with less and was able to handle the media with great professionalism. The Department faced a major challenge today and had to continue to do more with less. The fundamental resource still available was imagination.
In his country, a museum on solidarity had been set up and contributions from major artists, such as Miro, had been given to Chile, he said. Perhaps, the United Nations could have a similar art exhibition, which could tour the world and enhance the image of the Organization. A major photography exhibition was another possibility. The 50 most important photographers could give some of their work. Still another possibility was a special song for the United Nations for the year 2000.
The Department had done a great deal of work in disseminating the United Nations message through modern communication technological methods, he continued. Information on the United Nations including input from non- governmental organizations and individual citizens could also be added to the World Wide Web sites. A new diplomacy between private citizens who shared a
Committee on Information - 8 - Press Release PI/946 5th Meeting (AM) 9 May 1996
common interest was emerging in the world today and the United Nations could take advantage of that by using the Internet in some interactive way to discuss important issues such as desertification or water resources. Talk back radio could also encourage interactive discussion on important United Nations activities, especially in developing countries where not everyone had access to the latest communication technology.
* *** *