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Freedom of expression and freedom of the media

INFORMATION SOCIETY

Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs

of Austria

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„Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and

expression: this right includes the right freedom to hold

opinions without interference and to seek, receive and

impart information and ideas through any media and

regardless of frontiers.“

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Freedom of Expression

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Challenges for FOE in the Information Society

• New Opportunities, but also new limitations of FOE• Internet Security and Data Protection• (Hidden) Censorship of the Internet, filtering of

harmful or political content• Illicit and harmful content: child pornogrophy,

hatespeach, racism, Nazi propaganda, deformation, incitement to terrorism etc.

• Protection of privacy, of minors, of society• Brave new digital world?

Freedom of Expression

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WSIS I (Geneva)

Declaration of Principles

• link between Information Society and Human Rights (UDHR)

• link between Internet Security and Human Rights• affirmation of freedom of press, information, media• protection of human rights of others, like privacy

Geneva, December 2003

Freedom of Expression

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WSIS I (Geneva): Plan of Action

Plan of Action of Geneva

• essential role of media for freedom of expression

• measures against illicit and illegal content, like

racism, xenophobia, hatred, violence, misuse of

children, human trafficking

Freedom of Expression

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WSIS II: Tunis

Tunis Commitment and Agenda for the

Information Society

• confirmation of Geneva principles and cultural diversity

• measures to overcome digital divide, for example digital solidarity fund

• Internet Governance: UN Working Group

Tunis, December 2005

Freedom of Expression