A new web site has been launched by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) dedicated to its campaign to rekindle ethical journalism.

El 24 de mayo, se constituyó legalmente la Red de Medios Comunitarios (ReMC), con el objetivo de defender el derecho a crear medios comunitarios y reivindicar un espacio público de comunicación que garantice la existencia y el desarrollo del tercer sector. Además, fomentará la libertad de expresión y la difusión de ideas, opiniones e informaciones de todas las personas y colectivos a través de cualquier medio.

España - 24 mayo 2009

La Red de Medios Comunitarios se constituye legalmente

Ayer, 24 de mayo de 2009, la Red de Medios Comunitarios (ReMC) se constituyó legalmente para defender el derecho a crear medios comunitarios y reivindicar un espacio público de comunicación que garantice la existencia y el desarrollo del Tercer Sector de la Comunicación. Además, fomentará la libertad de expresión y la difusión de ideas, opiniones e informaciones de todas las personas y colectivos a través de cualquier medio.

La ReMC considera que el desarrollo social, los derechos humanos, la diversidad cultural y lingüística y los derechos de las mujeres y las minorías son fundamentales para la transformación social y conformación de una cultura democrática.

El proceso de constitución legal de la ReMC comenzó en el año 2005, cuando diversos medios comunitarios se reunieron para analizar la realidad de su trabajo diario, identificar dinámicas comunes y retos.

En ese encuentro surgió la necesidad de producir trabajos en red, compartir experiencias e influir en procesos legales relacionados con la comunicación.

Tras esta idea inicial se produjeron una serie de encuentros estatales de proyectos alternativos de comunicación. En la cuarta edición, celebrada en noviembre de 2007 en Bilbao, se encargó a una comisión la elaboración de los estatutos para crear una entidad jurídica que respaldara el trabajo en red y reivindicara en el plano legal la existencia del Tercer Sector de la Comunicación.

Tras más de un año y medio de elaboración y debate de dichos

estatutos, se le ha dado el visto bueno al documento este domingo en Madrid. La sede social se ha establecido en Cuac FM (A Coruña). Casi un centenar de proyectos han participado en los diferentes encuentros de la ReMC, de los cuales 18 medios de diversa procedencia han participado en el acto fundacional: Jaleo Radioacción (Córdoba), Cuac FM (A Coruña), Komunikatuz (Bilbao), Ecoleganés (Madrid), Radio Enlace (Madrid), Artegalia (Alicante), Radio Popular Canaria (Canarias), Radio Oasis (Salamanca), Tas Tas Irratia (Bilbao), Radio Ritmo (Madrid), Onda Merlín (Madrid), Radio Vallekas (Madrid), Onda Polígono (Toledo), Radio Kras (Asturias), Unión de Radios Libres y Comunitarias de Madrid, Onda Toledo, Radio Cortijo (Almería) y la Assemblea per la Comunicació Social (Barcelona). En los próximos meses, otros proyectos irán formalizando su adhesión a la ReMC.

Además del acto fundacional, se celebró la primera asamblea, donde también han participado Radio Pimienta (Canarias), Onda Color(Málaga), Radio Almenara (Madrid), Desencadena Usera (Madrid), Radio Fuga (Madrid) y AVM Radio (Barcelona).

www.medioscomunitarios.net

A new book tackling communication rights from a global perspective has appeared. The Right to Communicate: Historical Hopes, Global Debates and Future Premises has appeared from U.S. publisher Kendall Hunt. It is a contribution 'to an intellectual and multidisciplinary framework that will help better understand emerging issues in the practice of this complex human right.'

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Today, at the Durban Review Conference in Geneva, ARTICLE 19 has launched The Camden Principles on Freedom of Expression and Equality (“The Camden Principles”), a ground-breaking document that will guide legislators, policy-makers and civil society in balancing the rights to freedom of expression and equality.

Striking the right balance between free speech and non-discrimination has often presented governments and activists alike with difficulties and challenges. Where does protected speech end? Where does the right to equality take precedent over that of freedom of expression?

These difficulties have been compounded in recent years by terrorism and counterterrorism measures, immigration debates, and lately the international financial crisis which have led to the stigmatisation of certain ethnic and religious groups, further polarised societies, and resulted in acrimonious debates around the issues of religious defamation and intolerance.

Based on a progressive interpretation of international human rights standards, The Camden Principles offer a thoughtful and alternative approach to address these challenges and conflicts.

“The Camden Principles demonstrate that the rights to equality and freedom of expression go hand-in-hand and mutually reinforce each other, and that neither one of these indispensable human rights can be achieved at the expense of the other,” says Dr Agnès Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director. “They uphold the key principles of universality and indivisibility where too many have tried to impose exceptions and hierarchy.”

The Camden Principles address such difficult issues as hate speech, the role of the mass media in combating discrimination, and the right of reply. The Principles counter the disproportionate focus on the tensions between the two rights and the often heard suggestions that the realisation of the right to freedom of expression is incompatible with the realisation of the right to equality. This is especially important given the polarisation that has characterised the preparatory process for the Durban Review Conference.

However, ARTICLE 19 believes that The Camden Principles will have a longevity that will surpass this Durban Review Conference and will be a vital tool for legislators well into the future.

“The Camden Principles are action- and policy-oriented. They offer legal and policy avenues to govern national and international undertakings on the appropriate relationship between the rights of expression and equality. They reconcile rights and entitlements which too many have constructed as in opposition or conflict. They offer a response to those who claim that the current human rights framework is void and empty – an historical product no longer relevant. They also bring civil society together, particularly those of us who are fighting for the right to equality and the right of freedom of expression, rather than pitching one against the other,” concludes Callamard.


NOTES TO EDITORS:

• The Camden Principles was drafted by ARTICLE 19, with the participation of a high-level group of UN officials and representatives from other intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and academic experts, following two meetings in London on 11 December 2008 and 23-24 February 2009.
• For more information: please contact Dr Agnès Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Dr Barbora Bukovská, Senior Director for Law, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tel: +44 (0) 20 7278 9292.
• To arrange an interview with ARTICLE 19, please contact Nicola Spurr, Senior Press Officer at +44 772 686 7868 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .