IFEX: Joint Action for Access to Information and Free Media

The global freedom of expression network IFEX (International Freedom of Expression Exchange) published a submission signed by 77 civil society organizations to call on the UN to recognize "the importance of access to information and free media to sustainable development". The recommendations are planned to be included into the United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) to be held on 4-6 June 2012.

The submission reads, "We, the undersigned 77 civil society organisations representing freedom of expression, transparency, journalists, and the media interests around the world, are providing this submission on issues we strongly believe need to be included in the Outcome Document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).

The Outcome Document will represent an important milestone in the global efforts to realise sustainable development. We urge the UNCSD and member states to put free media, transparency and the free flow of information as central pillars in their efforts to promote sustainable development and the protection of the environment at the upcoming Rio+20 Summit in June 2012. We believe that transparency and the free flow of information, including the right of all to seek, receive and impart information and ideas related to development and the environment, are fundamental to ensuring sustainable development and environmental protection.

In particular, we recommend that the Outcome Document includes a general principle recognising that a free media and an independent civil society, transparency and the free flow of information are central pillars in global efforts to promote sustainable development and the protection of the environment.

The Outcome Document should also include:

1. An agreement for the creation of a new international treaty on access to environmental information, public participation and access to justice, based on Principle 10 of the 1992 Rio Declaration and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention).

2. Clear and specific targets and deadlines for the adoption and implementation by member states of national legislation on access to information, public participation and access to justice, based on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Bali Guidelines.

3. Clear and specific targets and deadlines for member states to adopt necessary laws and policies to protect freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, freedom of association and freedom of assembly as well as to repeal those legal provisions that hamper the realisation of these rights, which are fundamental to sustainable development.

4. Clear and specific targets towards the adoption and implementation by all UN agencies, organisations, commissions, programmes, and other UN bodies, of access to information and public participation policies, including effective mechanisms to ensure appeal and compliance.

We fully support the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will integrate the above recommendations.

We thank you for this opportunity and offer our further assistance and commitment to the success of the Rio+20 process and conference and the full achievement of sustainable development".

The submission was signed by the following IFEX members:

Association for Civil Rights, Association of Caribbean Media Workers, Association of Independent Electronic Media, Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, Cartoonists Rights Network International, Centre for Independent Journalism, Freedom Forum, Globe International, Human Rights Network for Journalists - Uganda, Initiative for Freedom of Expression, Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information, Institute of Mass Information, Instituto Prensa y Sociedad, Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Media Foundation for West Africa, Media Rights Agenda, Media Watch, Pacific Freedom Forum, Pacific Islands News Association, Pakistan Press Foundation, Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms, PEN Canada, Privacy International, Reporters Without Borders, West African Journalists Association, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)

Non-IFEX members who signed he submission were Access Info Europe, Spain; Access Initiative, USA; Access to Information Programme, Bulgaria; Advocacy Academy, Romania; Africa Freedom of Information Centre, Uganda; African Network of Constitutional Lawyers, ATI Committee; Alianza Regional por la Libre Expresión e Información; African Women's Development and Communication Network, Kenya; Arab Freedom of Information Network; Association for Progressive Communications, South Africa; Australian Privacy Foundation; Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication; Bytes for All, Pakistan; Center for Independent Journalism, Romania; Centre for Law and Democracy, Canada; Centre for Media Freedom Mena region; Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Pakistan; Citizens' Campaign for Right to Information, Nepal; Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, India; Electronic Privacy Information Center, USA; Fundación Ciudadano Inteligente, Chile; Fundar: Centro de Analisis e Investigación, Mexico; Green Alternative, Georgia; Grupo FARO, Ecuador; HELIO International, France; Humanistische Union e.V./German Civil Liberties Union, Germany; Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Hungary; Indonesian Center for Environmental Law, Indonesia; Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Georgia; Institute for Information Freedom Development, Russia; Instituto de Derecho y Economía Ambiental, Paraguay; International Federation of Journalists Asia-Pacific office Jamaicans For Justice, Jamaica; K-Monitor Watchdog for Public Funds, Hungary; Moroccan Right to Information Network; National Security Archive, USA; Network for Affirmation of NGO Sector-MANS, Montenegro; Network for Reporting on Eastern Europe (n-ost), Germany; Panos London, UK; PRO ACCESO, Chile; PRO MEDIA, Macedonia; Proetica Peru; PROVIDUS, Latvia; Publish What You Fund, UK; SpeedTrust, Bangladesh.

Click here to read the IFEX announcement.