On May 14, the Council of Europe (the U.S. is a non-voting member) will debate limiting freedom of expression when it comes to terrorism. The suggestions are phrased in the form of questions, but it's pretty clear where whomever drafted them is going.
The text of the questions is here (and reproduced below): http://www.humanrights.coe.int/media/events/2002/QuestionnaireCDMM(E).rtf Background on the Council of Europe: http://www.politechbot.com/p-03159.html -Declan --- Questions concerning freedom of expression and information and terrorism to be debated during the hearing to be held by the CDMM on 14 May 2002 I. Scope and limits of freedom of expression A. Freedom of expression of persons suspected, accused or convicted of terrorism 1. What limitations on freedom of expression of persons suspected, accused or convicted of terrorism may be justified? B. Freedom and responsibilities of the media and the right of the public to be informed The following questions may call for different answers depending on the nature of the media, its form or readership/audience. Furthermore, the CDMM is interested in discussing these questions from the point of view of both State regulation and self-regulation by the media. 1. What limitations on the rights of the media or what specific obligations for the media may be justified concerning: (i) the dissemination of statements from suspected or convicted terrorists, (ii) access to areas where terrorist acts have taken place or where police or military personnel is active in combating terrorism, (iii) the publication/broadcasting of images of terrorist acts or of the results of these acts, (iv) reports on measures to fight terrorism, (v) the disclosure of journalists' sources of information about terrorist activities. 2. Do the media have specific obligations concerning respect for the presumption of innocence of persons suspected or accused of terrorism? 3. Do the media have a duty to be impartial when covering/reporting on acts of terrorism? II. Obligations of public authorities 1. To what extent can it be justified for public authorities to withhold information, or even present deliberately false information, in order to fight terrorism? Under what possible control and by whom? 2. How can the public authorities best fulfil their obligation to protect media professionals from being the victim of terrorist acts and to investigate and bring to justice the authors of such acts? III. How to promote active contribution by the media to intercultural and inter-religious dialogue? 1. Terrorist violence often arises from the perception (real or supposed) that the community is a victim of injustice from a more powerful enemy. Do the media have the responsibility to expose and, as appropriate, dismiss such perceptions and to counteract prejudices, and how can they best achieve this objective? 2. How can or should the media play an active role in increasing understanding between different ethnic or religious groups and thus in preventing violent clashes and terrorism? Does television have a specific role to play in this respect? Can/should public authorities support/encourage such initiatives and in the affirmative, how? 3. Are there concrete examples of self-regulatory initiatives by the media in order to promote better understanding between different ethnic or religious groups? 4. How to avoid media professionals (journalists, editors, etc.) being influenced by ethnic, religious or other prejudices when reporting on terrorism and related events? IV. Possible action by the Council of Europe 1. What, in your opinion, could or should the Council of Europe do regarding the above questions? ### --- From: Paul Mobbs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 21:03:07 +0100 X-Mailer: KMail [version 1.2] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Council of Europe: Expression, Terrorism & Freedom of Communication on Net -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi all, Some interesting info from Council of Europe... espacially Draft Declaration on freedom of communication on the Internet http://www.humanrights.coe.int/media/ Hearing on freedom of expression and terrorism (10/04/02) The Council of Europe Steering Committee on the Mass Media (CDMM) has decided to organise a hearing on media and terrorism on 14 May 2002. The objective is to examine whether any policy or other initiative should be taken by the Council of Europe in this specific area in order to ensure respect for Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. For this purpose, the CDMM has prepared a list of questions (EN / FR), which is being circulated to a large number of interested organisations from the media and other relevant sectors. Draft Declaration on freedom of communication on the Internet (09/04/2002) The Group of Specialists on on-line services and democracy has decided to invite the public to comment on a draft Declaration on freedom of communication on the Internet (EN / FR). Please send your comments to the Media Division by 1 May 2002. Charter to protect journalists working in dangerous conditions (14/03/2002) Reporters Without Borders (RSF) published today a Charter for the Safety of Journalists Working in War Zones or Dangerous Areas aimed at averting or at least reducing the risks that war reporters run in the course of their work. The press freedom organisation is asking editors to adopt it and observe it. The Charter is downloadable from the RSF website. <SNIP> - -- - ------------------- "We are not for names, nor men, nor titles of Government, nor are we for this party nor against the other but we are for justice and mercy and truth and peace and true freedom, that these may be exalted in our nation, and that goodness, righteousness, meekness, temperance, peace and unity with God, and with one another, that these things may abound." (Edward Burroughs, 1659 - from 'Quaker Faith and Practice') Paul Mobbs, Mobbs' Environmental Investigations, 3 Grosvenor Road, Banbury OX16 5HN, England tel./fax (+44/0)1295 261864 email - [EMAIL PROTECTED] website - http://www.fraw.org.uk/mobbsey.html public key - http://www.fraw.org.uk/keylist.html -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux) Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org iD8DBQE8xGx7tEaNwM05jx0RAjFtAKC7TlLtVFKY442RHH+sMZdPtAjDLQCgwgxi uABYmaFiYOhhDwJWEUpOyX0= =ATQo -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. 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