11 October 1993

Doc. 6953

1403-06/10/93-6-E

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on freedom of the media in central and eastern Europe 1

presented by Mr TARSCHYS and others


1.       Freedom of the media is indispensable in a democratic society.

2.       States have the duty to guard against infringements of the freedom of the press and should adopt policies which encourage pluralism in the media. Only through the creation of a competitive environment, in journalism and broadcasting, can real freedom be guaranteed and a responsible and professional ethic engendered.

3.       Under communism all media were tightly controlled by the party and recent experience has shown, that even after the restoration of democracy there is a tendency for the party in power to exert influence on the media and prevent critical views from being heard. This is particularly true in state broadcasting.

4.       In Estonia several problems occur in the process of privatisation of the media. The government is said to favour its supporters in the privatisation of "Rahva Hääl", the second largest newspaper in the country and the largest in the capital Tallinn. Allegations have also been made about undue interference by the government in the management of television and radio.

5.       In Romania there is a large number of independent newspapers and the press is relatively free. However, according to Docs. 6901 and 6918 on the application by Romania for membership of the Council of Europe, there are serious problems. Journalists, who had been critical of the government have had their credentials withdrawn. Other problems are the access to information by the press and government control over newspaper distribution. There are serious doubts about the impartiality of state television and the new director general of the television service has been criticised for his notorious antisemitic observations and press articles.

6.       While the freedom of the print media in Bulgaria has developed in a satisfactory manner, concerns have been expressed about the impartiality of state television and state radio.

7.       At the end of August the weekly "The Baltic Observer" reported attempts by two representatives of the Latvian Security Service (LRDD) to exert influence over the "Baltic News Service" agency and the Russian-language daily "SM Segodnya".

8.       Several members of the Parliamentary Assembly have also reported about problems in Albania regarding the availability of paper for newspapers critical of the government. It also has been alleged that opposition papers are frequently and unjustifiably harassed by tax inspectors.

9.       The above examples testify to the persistence and recurrence of serious problems in the new democracies as regards impartiality in the mass media and freedom of expression.

10.       The Assembly therefore considers that this problem should be examined in order to propose further action which would promote freedom of political expression in the new democracies in central and eastern Europe.

Signed:

Tarschys, Johnston, Brennan, Kenneally, Kitt, Muehlemann,

Loutfi, Semerdjiev, F. Probst, Panov, Mackie, Hint


1 1This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.