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 **  *****  *****    ***           COMMUNIQUE # 4 - 36
 **  **     **      ** **          18 SEPTEMBER 1995
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International Freedom of Expression eXchange Clearing House
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UNESCO/AMARC PRAISE WOMEN AND MEDIA IN BEIJING PLATFORM

A section on women and media incorporated in the "Beijing
Platform for Action" being discussed at the Fourth World
Conference on Women turned out successfully, according to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO). On 14 September, UNESCO issued a statement at the
conference in Beijing, China. One of the points it stressed is
that "UNESCO is pleased to note that the final text of section J
of the Draft Beijing Platform for Action, while promoting changes
in the media to meet women's interests and empowerment, takes
into account two fundamental demands of the media professionals,
ie. the respect for freedom of expression and the principle of
non-intervention of governments in professional matters, thus
encouraging self-regulation. This approach is in harmony with the
`new Communication strategy' adopted by the UNESCO General
Conference in 1989." In addition, UNESCO noted approvingly,
"Media issues are for the first time prominently on the agenda of
a conference on women. Therefore, the international community
recognizes not only the place of the media in our societies and
its growing role in shaping opinions and attitudes towards women
and gender issues, but also its potential to make a far greater
contribution to the advancement of women worldwide."

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) was
part of a group of communications associations which lauded
section J of the Platform for Action, "in recognition of the fact
that communications and information play a strategic role in
every realm of social, political, cultural and economic
activity." AMARC noted, "For the first time, these topics figure
prominently on the agenda of a World Conference on Women." In
addition, AMARC said that those participating in the
communications caucus of the Conference argued that "the right to
communication and information is a human right, which requires
adopting a global policy that will guarantee women's democratic
access to all communications systems and media." AMARC and the
other groups stated, "Communications processes with a gender
perspective, must be open, pluralistic, and respectful of
diversity and freedom of expression and thought." They continued,
"In order to guarantee access to information and the means of
expression, a multi-media communications initiative is required,
adapted to different languages, cultures and visions, and to
women's diverse access to communications channels."

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   Association mondiale des radiodiffuseurs communautaires
      World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
          Asociacion mundial de radios comunitarias
3575 Blvd. St. Laurent, Suite 704     Email: amarc@web.apc.org
Montreal, Quebec                         Tel: (1-514) 982-0351
CANADA  H2X 2T7                          Fax: (1-514) 849-7129
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