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OAS and UNESCO Partner to Promote Freedom of Expression
[6.21.2003 | ]
Legislation regulating media should not be used to limit media diversity and restrict the free flow of opinions, according to Eduardo Bertoni, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Organization of American States (OAS), speaking in a recent meeting with UNESCO's specialist Marcello Scarone in Washington.
The objective of the meeting was to strengthen the existing links between the Office of the Special Rapporteur and UNESCO. Bertoni and Scarone discussed proposals for future collaborative projects that would further the mandates and common objectives of both agencies.
Among the issues considered to be priorities by both agencies are legislation related to media in the region and to access to public information. Concern was expressed that media legislation is used in some countries to limit diversity in the media or to restrict the dissemination of certain opinions.
The representatives of the two Organizations observed that many countries in the region still lack legislation that allows the public broad access to governmental information, and that where such legislation exists, it may be interpreted restrictively in order to prevent public access to some information.
They also expressed concern regarding the recent deterioration of respect for the right to freedom of expression in some States in the region.
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