More antiMugabe from anti-Mugabe sources :
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/news/article_1300116.php/Zimbabw
es_Mugabe_warns_Roman_Catholic_bishops
http://voanews.com/english/2007-05-03-voa37.cfm
Extract from Carl Bildt’s speech:
: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/3211/a/80971
“ The Role of Media in a Democratic Society
The principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms are interlinked with one another but
are also closely related to poverty. Poverty is not only about lack of material
resources. It is also about lack of power, opportunities, choice and security.
Democracy and poverty reduction can never be guaranteed by politicians
alone, whether they are elected or self-nominated. In the end, it is a question
of people's opportunities to influence their situation, claim their rights and
being able to voice their concerns. But to exercise these rights presupposes
that citizens have access to information that has not been filtered, censored
or distorted. How can I claim my rights if I don't know what they are? How
can I voice my concerns if I risk being prosecuted for doing so?
These are a few examples of why the role of media is crucial to the
development of a country. The quality of the information an individual is able
to access will, by necessity, greatly influence his or her ability to participate
in the political process. In other words, journalists have a responsibility
towards their fellow citizens to provide correct and analytical information.
Lively and independent media are essential components of the complex system
of checks and balances that characterises democratic societies. No one, and
in particular politicians and civil servants, should be above the law and exempt
of scrutiny. Corruption is both a cause and an effect of weak governance.
Corruption breeds inefficiency and undermines confidence in the institutions of
a society. An Englishman, Lord Acton, once made the now famous statement
that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". This still holds
true. The quality of decisions will inevitably suffer if a free debate is not
allowed.
It upsets us when we read about politicians who are forced to resign because
of corruption. But at the same time we should also be grateful that such
information is published and reaches the public. In 1974 the so-called
Watergate scandal eventually forced American president Richard Nixon to
resign. This, as you know, was mainly the result of efforts by two journalists
at the Washington Post. What if they had lived in a country where they had
not been allowed to pursue that story? What if, during their investigative
work, they had been told by their editor-in-chief that they should stop their
work immediately because the president is above criticism?
But the role of media in a modern society is not only limited to reporting and
analysing specific events. Journalists are also opinion builders in their own
right. By tracing and critically analysing new trends and tendencies in society,
a free media provides decision makers with invaluable information, thereby
ensuring, such matters as the quality of legislation. And when it comes to an
issue such as the spread of HIV/AIDS, the ability of the press to disseminate
information freely and to discuss the topic without having to consider what
politicians think is or is not suitable can, in the end, be a matter of saving
lives.
We also have to see the role of media in the context of the common
challenges we face in an increasingly globalised world. Global challenges
emphasise the need to find common solutions. An issue such as the
consequences of global warming is one example; the spread of international
crime and terrorism is another. To meet these challenges, access to correct
information is crucial, for the general public as well as for decision makers.
Promoting free media in other countries is therefore also in our own self -
interest. If journalists in other countries are silenced we will ultimately pay a
price ourselves. Let me give you an example. We are all aware of the immense
challenge that humankind faces in the form of ongoing climate change. Let's
say that information about an environmental disaster in a country far away is
not allowed to reach the public. Eventually, it might very well be that people
in other parts of the world suffer the consequences of information being
withheld. Pollution knows no borders. The problem in certain parts of
Southeast Asia of the so-called "haze" is a sad illustration of this fact.
Given what I have just said it will come as no surprise to you that Sweden is
committed to the development of the media sector in Vietnam. Over the past
ten years, Sweden has been the biggest donor in support of efforts to
promote democracy in your country through the development of more
professional, open, independent and self-reliant media.
Sweden supports interventions in the area of the media that seek to empower
people living in poverty. Fundamental points of departure are the right to
freedom of expression and freedom of speech, the right to exercise cultural
and creative activities, the right to access to information, the right to
participation and the right to knowledge. Sweden and Vietnam have ratified
international human rights conventions and we both have an obligation to live
up to the commitments made as signatories.
Freedom of expression includes the right to seek, receive, express and
disseminate opinions, ideas and information without interference, and to do so
either orally or in writing through any media. Freedom of expression is a
precondition for media pluralism, which in turn is the foundation for strong and
functioning media. This facilitates a broad spectrum of information, ideas and
opinions in society.
Access to information and the free exchange of opinions are crucial in enabling
citizens to take a stance, reach well-founded decisions and make free
choices. In my country, the tradition goes back almost two and a half
centuries - the Freedom of the Press Act was adopted in the year 1766.
One fundamental cornerstone in Sweden is the principle of public access to
official documents. As you can understand this principle is very important for
journalists in their reporting and investigative work, especially when they are
scrutinising the exercise of power by the Government and other public
agencies, but it is also a cornerstone of an open society and an effective tool
for monitoring and preventing corruption. In fact, anyone in Sweden, whether
they are a Swede or a foreigner, a journalist or a non-journalist, has the right
to access documents produced or received by a government agency or body.
Even my own incoming and outgoing email at the Ministry is basically in the
public domain! Linked to the fundamental law I just mentioned are codes of
ethics that the free media have developed and agreed upon by themselves,
without interference from the State. There are also public entities to which
citizens can turn when they feel offended or abused by media.
The legal and factual situation in Vietnam today is different. However, our two
countries have agreed that support for the media sector is one of the
priorities of Swedish development cooperation here in Vietnam. And it is of
course crucial for development towards democratic governance in Vietnam.
We have witnessed many positive changes over the years, as access to
modern technology has provided media with new audiences and thereby also
new advertising markets and increased revenues. This has led to improved
professionalism and journalism in parts of the media. We have, over the course
of the Swedish-Vietnamese media project, seen how radio media have
developed from the simple reading of duly approved texts to live broadcasting
with interviews with local people. By supporting the media sector we hope
that Swedish development cooperation will contribute to reinforcing change
processes that are already underway in Vietnamese society.
We believe that support for the training of journalists will improve the
professional skills of reporters and thereby help them do a better job. Over the
past ten years, the focus of this cooperation has been on training of reporters
and media managers by running short courses and providing in-house training.
The project also pays due attention to the policy dialogue, discussions on the
code of ethics and the role of media in a democratic society. Improved and
modernised journalism training will contribute significantly to the development
of more professional and independent media in this country. The creation of
well-functioning, high-standard journalism faculties is vital for any country
aiming to strengthen the role of the media in a democratic society. A revised
curriculum for journalism training, modern teaching methods and better
information-seeking capacity are likely to stimulate more independent, dynamic
and creative-thinking students.
Why are independent, dynamic and creative-thinking students so crucial for
Vietnam's future?
Firstly, we are convinced that professional journalism training of a high
standard is a prerequisite for the development of more professional and
independent media. You, as future journalists, will assist Vietnam on its own
path in this important task.
Secondly, as society develops, there will be a greater demand by the public
for the right to information and the right to have their voices heard. Without
information there is no accountability. Information is power, and the more
people who possess it, the more power that is devolved. Access to
information is essential in any modern society. Without it, democratic
structures cannot operate as they should, and individuals are left unable to
enforce their rights - perhaps not even with an awareness of what rights they
have and when they have been infringed. Corruption cases will go undetected.
The primary vehicle for taking information to the public is independent and free
media.
Thirdly, because the public and the media have been engaged in a debate
about political reform and the roles and responsibility of the Party and the
National Assembly, there are greater opportunities, but also more challenges
and pressure on the media, to engage in the debate on the role of the media
in a democratic society.
Fourthly, economic and political integration is another reason for the greater
need for your future services, as is Vietnam's move towards industrialisation
and modernisation.
All in all, there are more and more reasons for professional journalism training.
Well-trained, and dedicated, journalists play a fundamental role for the
economic and political development in any society.
There are also challenges for you in your future work. Being agents of change
is not an easy task. You are the ones who will challenge the decision makers
of the future, assess the performance of your leaders and raise critical issues
for debate. You will play a key role in ensuring the Vietnamese people's right
to accurate and timely information. I am convinced that you will enter the
labour market well-prepared and with confidence. I wish you all good health
and every success in your studies and in your future work.
Let me finish by saying that I am particularly happy to see so many female
students here today. As journalists your work will be crucial in strengthening
the role of women in Vietnamese society and politics.
Thank you once again for inviting me here! “
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