WACC calls on communicators to use digital media responsibly and ethically

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

WACC calls on communicators to use digital media responsibly and ethically

> To mark the World Press Freedom Day, 3 May
> 2011,  the World Association for Christian
> Communication (WACC) is calling on communicators
> to use new media responsibly in order to
> strengthen press freedom and communication rights
> worldwide. Open access to the Internet, social
> networks, and new-generation digital devices
> raise significant concerns related to
> accountability, privacy, and security, says WACC.

> Full statement....

?21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers?
is the theme of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May
2011. The focus is on celebrating the potential
of digital technologies as well as established
forms of journalism to uphold the right to
communicate, freedom of expression, democratic
governance, and sustainable development.

WACC calls on communicators from all walks of
life ? especially the so-called Fourth and Fifth
Estates ? to exercise responsibility and
accountability in using 21st century media in
order to strengthen press freedom and communication rights worldwide.

The growth of the Internet and social media have
greatly increased the ability of individuals,
citizen journalists, and civil society
organizations to enhance their right to seek,
receive, and impart information as recognized by
international human rights standards. Digital
media platforms have made it possible for almost
anyone to voice their concerns to large audiences and perhaps to be heard.

In many parts of the world, and as recently been
witnessed in particular in the countries of the
Middle East, bloggers and tweeters are
challenging authorities, exposing corruption, and
offering alternative viewpoints. As a result, new
ways of communicating have enriched news and
information resources and reshaped what was
traditionally the realm of professional
journalism expressed in newspapers and magazines, on radio and television.

However, even as political, social, and cultural
barriers are being overcome through the use of
21st century media, new ones are developed in
attempts to block, filter, and censor information
and knowledge. Simultaneously, open access to the
Internet, social networks, and new-generation
digital devices raise significant concerns
related to accountability, privacy, and security.

WACC recognizes that the right to communicate and
freedom of expression are central to building
strong democracies, contributing to good
governance, promoting the rule of law, and
enabling sustainable development through
participatory communication. At the same time,
WACC is concerned that communicators understand
and apply ethical codes of practice both formally
and informally when communicating their concerns.

The Chairperson of WACC?s Middle East Region, Dr
Riad Jarjour, has said that, ?What happened in
Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, and other countries has
underscored the role of media and freedom of
expression in shaping our communities and the
future of our society. We are experiencing
significant transformation in the region and
inevitably we now have to focus more on the role
of the media and peace journalism.?

The challenge is to optimize the potential of
digital media while not compromising political
and civil liberties. Likewise, governments and
regulators need to respond to civil society?s
calls for open and affordable access to mass and
community media. The world is immeasurably poorer
without communication rights and press freedom.
It is immeasurably enriched by the free flow of
information and knowledge, which are the lifeblood of democracy.