GA6: The Freedom of Information
General
Assembly 6 began their debate with the question: “How free is information and
to what extent can the general population access it?” In response to this, GA6
noted how the information society received from sources such as; newspapers,
TV, and other programs were biased. This creates an uneducated population on
false facts. These programs are unfair mostly due to the fact that they are
owned by governmental companies. Therefore, the government limits the amount of
information provided to society to make a fair opinion on the given topic at
choice. Additionally, this raises the question as to ‘the right of fair access
to information.’
The truth
can hold immense power. It can cause a government to rise or fall dependent on
the way in which society perceives the governments use and their distribution
of the truth. Within African Countries, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UNDHR) is referred to and provides the basis for which GA6 is
determining the right to freedom of the press and the right to freedom of
expression. Oftentimes, on topics of controversy, like war or business, it has
been seen where the government has attempted to release solely the partial
truth to ‘brainwash’ society in believing their morals or ethics are right. Any
sanctions passed by other countries are unknown to this population, leaving
them ignorant on issues within their own country. This belief in the power of
information and words on the general population can be supported through the
murder of about 1,076 journalists within these African countries. Thus,
displaying how despite the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression
in Africa (DPFEA) states “the fundamental importance of freedom of expression
as an individual human right, as a cornerstone of democracy and a means of
ensuring respect for all human rights and freedoms;” is not closely followed.
In
conclusion, GA6 found that all public information should be released, allowing
society fair access and awareness to information of any sort. Legislation has
been passed against violence against media. The importance of education has
been established by making workshops in primary, secondary, and tertiary
schools. In turn, this has emphasized the idea that shared knowledge and the
interchange of opinions on social, economic, and political can be beneficial to
a country. One’s own decision making should be made in consideration of the
information one can obtain from other forms of media. Also, the Committee to
Protect Journalist (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists are
aimed at educating journalists on personal safety while national and abroad.
All in all, these African countries must collaborate together to implement these
sustainable solutions in ensuring information remains free.
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