Speakers: Mr Doudou Diene, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance and Ms Agnes Callamard, Executive Director Article 19Moderator: Ms Shada Islam, DPA
Brief summary of plenary session 1: Primetime for diversity – Journalism in a troubled world. Monday 4 June 2007
Speakers: Mr Doudou Diene, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance
Ms Agnes Callamard, Executive Director Article 19
Moderator: Ms Shada Islam, DPA
Diene reflected on some of the challenges of practising diversity in journalism. He expressed a concern with the growing concentration of the media. Powerful media moguls, which accounts for approximately ten groups, control not only the media, but gradually more publishing houses too. Diene added that the recent trend of privatisation of universities is also a contributor to the prevention of diverse opinions. Secondly, Diene emphasised how the Cold War paradigm strongly re-emerged after 9/11. The “us versus them” rhetoric became evident during the caricature case. There seemed to be a perception that the right to freedom of expression was supported and celebrated by the developed/western world and that the rest of the world was not advanced enough to comprehend this human right. This was, according to Diene, a misconception as differences of opinions existed even within Denmark, which was seen as the country supporting freedom of expression the most.
Diene then pointed to what he considers one of the biggest threats to pluralism. This is the emergence of political parties worldwide which is far right or even openly xenophobic and racist. According to Diene, we are witnessing that the extreme right is infiltrating democratic platforms in Europe. We have seen this both in Denmark and Austria. He also highlighted what he labelled “the intellectual legitimation of racism”. Diene here used the example of writer and Harvard professor Samuel Huntington well known for his book “Clash of civilisations”. Huntington has recently published a book entitled “Who are we? -The Challenges to America's National Identity” which, legitimise discrimination of Latinos in America.
Diene concluded that with a small amount of powerful people in control of media, publishing houses and academia we are faced with serious challenges in implementing diversity today. He also added that individuals, communities and nations would always view the world through “tainted glasses”. Deep ignorance separates communities today and the means to improve this is through promotion of cultural and ethical differences and through dialogue between different cultures.
Callamard pointed to some of the challenges in the current political climate. She argued that there is a culture of silencing diversity through various legislations that is aimed at tackling voices that should not be heard. There is also a trend to exercise an increasing amount of self-censorship in reporting. Attacks on journalists have become widespread in the last few years, Callamard mentioned specifically Mexico in this regard, which was the second worst country for journalist killings last year. Many of the perpetrators of these attacks are organised criminals, however the main perpetrator is still the state. Callamard also drew attention to article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) declaring that states has an obligation to prohibit hate speech. Although, Callamard stressed that this is very important, she also pointed out that it should be a careful balance for not applying a very expansive interpretation of this article. The state also has an obligation not to abuse this article to impose restrictions on journalists.
Callamard then presented some of the other challenges to diversity reporting such as an increased economic pressure and lack of sufficient funding to do good journalism and the increased use of advertising. Due to economic constraints do small, and sometimes critical, newspapers experience that they are not able to survive. Considering this, Callamard stated that a strong and independent public service broadcasting is crucial to put forward diversity.
After these presentations, a discussion on which role journalists is expected to play followed. The audience debated whether reporting in many cases today also includes having a role as a political activist and taking a stance on the case you are reporting on.