Human Rights and a Changing Media Landscape

Human Rights and a Changing Media Landscape PDF Author: Council of Europe
Publisher: Council of Europe
ISBN: 9789287171986
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 220

Get Book Here

Book Description
The media play a crucial role in the protection of human rights. They expose human rights violations and offer an arena for different voices to be heard in public discourse. Free, independent and pluralistic media are a core element of any democracy. However, the power of the media can also be misused to the extent that the very functioning of democracy is threatened. Some media outlets have been turned into propaganda megaphones for those in power. Others have been used to incite xenophobic hatred and violence against minorities and other vulnerable groups. Now the phenomenon of social media presents us with a range of fresh challenges. Blogs, video and social networking sites have become a key forum for political debate and organisation - so much so that they have provoked counter-responses from some repressive states. While there is a need to ensure better protection of personal integrity in social media, the right to freedom of expression must not be undermined. The purpose of this publication is to contribute to a more thorough discussion on media developments and their impact on human rights in a constantly changing media landscape. Eight experts were invited to contribute their personal assessments of trends and problems. They have not shied away from addressing controversial issues or providing far-reaching suggestions. Together their texts indicate that there is a need for stronger protection of media freedom and freedom of expression in Europe today. These are clearly topics of paramount importance which demand serious public debate.

Human Rights and a Changing Media Landscape

Human Rights and a Changing Media Landscape PDF Author: Council of Europe
Publisher: Council of Europe
ISBN: 9789287171986
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 220

Get Book Here

Book Description
The media play a crucial role in the protection of human rights. They expose human rights violations and offer an arena for different voices to be heard in public discourse. Free, independent and pluralistic media are a core element of any democracy. However, the power of the media can also be misused to the extent that the very functioning of democracy is threatened. Some media outlets have been turned into propaganda megaphones for those in power. Others have been used to incite xenophobic hatred and violence against minorities and other vulnerable groups. Now the phenomenon of social media presents us with a range of fresh challenges. Blogs, video and social networking sites have become a key forum for political debate and organisation - so much so that they have provoked counter-responses from some repressive states. While there is a need to ensure better protection of personal integrity in social media, the right to freedom of expression must not be undermined. The purpose of this publication is to contribute to a more thorough discussion on media developments and their impact on human rights in a constantly changing media landscape. Eight experts were invited to contribute their personal assessments of trends and problems. They have not shied away from addressing controversial issues or providing far-reaching suggestions. Together their texts indicate that there is a need for stronger protection of media freedom and freedom of expression in Europe today. These are clearly topics of paramount importance which demand serious public debate.

The Law and the Media in Ghana

The Law and the Media in Ghana PDF Author: Kwame Karikari
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Journalists
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Global Handbook of Media Accountability

The Global Handbook of Media Accountability PDF Author: Susanne Fengler
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000504948
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 643

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Global Handbook of Media Accountability brings together leading scholars to de-Westernize the academic debate on media accountability and discuss different models of media self-regulation and newsroom transparency around the globe. With examination of the status quo of media accountability in 43 countries worldwide, it offers a theoretically informed comparative analysis of accountability regimes of different varieties. As such, it constitutes the first interdisciplinary academic framework comparing structures of media accountability across all continents and creates an invaluable basis for further research and policymaking. It will therefore appeal to scholars and students of media studies and journalism, mass communication, sociology, and political science, as well as policymakers and practitioners.

Media Reforms and Democratization in Emerging Democracies of Sub-Saharan Africa

Media Reforms and Democratization in Emerging Democracies of Sub-Saharan Africa PDF Author: Ufuoma Akpojivi
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319753010
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 186

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book examines the media reform processes and re-democratization projects of Ghana and Nigeria’s emerging democracies. It evaluates and critiques these reform processes, arguing that because of dependency approaches resulting from the transplanting of policy framework from the West into these emerging democracies, the policy goals and objectives of the reforms have not been achieved. Consequently, the inherent socio-cultural, economic and political factors, coupled with the historical antecedents of these countries, have also affected the reform process. Drawing from policy documents, analyses and interviews, Ufuoma Akpojivi argues that the lack of citizens’ active participation in policy processes has led to neo-liberalization and the continued universalization of Western ideologies such as democracy, media freedom and independence. Akpojivi posits that the recognition of socio-cultural, political and economic factors inherent to these emerging democracies, coupled with the communal participation of citizens, will facilitate true media reform processes and development of these countries.

The Fourth Estate and the Constitution

The Fourth Estate and the Constitution PDF Author: Lucas A. Powe
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 9780520913165
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 376

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 1964 the Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in New York Times v. Sullivan guaranteeing constitutional protection for caustic criticism of public officials, thus forging the modern law of freedom of the press. Since then, the Court has decided case after case affecting the rights and restrictions of the press, yet little has ben written about these developments as they pertain to the Fourth Estate. Lucas Powe's essential book now fills this gap. Lucas A. Powe, Jr., a legal scholar specializing in media and the law, goes back to the framing of the First Amendment and chronicles the two main traditions of interpreting freedom of the press to illuminate the issues that today ignite controversy: How can a balance be achieved among reputation, uninhibited discussion, and media power? Under what circumstance can the government seek to protect national security by enjoining the press rather than attempting the difficult task of convincing a jury that publication was a criminal offense? What rights can the press properly claim to protect confidential sources or to demand access to information otherwise barred to the public? And, as the media grow larger and larger, can the government attempt to limit their power by limiting their size? Writing for the concerned layperson and student of both journalism and jurisprudence, Powe synthesizes law, history, and theory to explain and justify full protection of the editorial choices of the press. The Fourth Estate and the Constitution not only captures the sweep of history of Supreme Court decisions on the press, but also provides a timely restatement of the traditional view of freedom of the press at a time when liberty is increasingly called into question.

Media Freedom in Ghana

Media Freedom in Ghana PDF Author: Kwesi Nyarkoh Koomson
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 366828718X
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 15

Get Book Here

Book Description
Scientific Essay from the year 2013 in the subject Communications - Journalism, Journalism Professions, , course: None, language: English, abstract: A free press is the cornerstone of a democratic society. It has been said that liberty depends on the freedom of the press. However, when these freedoms and rights are left unrestricted or without borders there are likely to be abuses. This write-up looks to figure out the provisions in the 1992 constitution that protect the independence and freedom of the press and also try to find out if there are other provisions in the constitution as well as other legal documents that act as checks on these rights and freedoms. The write-up will later examine situations that could warrant deliberate restrictions on media freedom. The write-up has been organized into seven sub-headings namely; article 162 of the 1992 constitution, the media, brief history of the media in Ghana, press freedom and the role of the media in Ghana, the need for press freedom in Ghana, abuses of press freedom in Ghana and circumstances that would warrant restrictions on the media without jeopardizing the human rights of Ghanaians.

Media Role in African Changing Electoral Process

Media Role in African Changing Electoral Process PDF Author: Cosmas Uchenna Nwokeafor
Publisher: University Press of America
ISBN: 0761862552
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 250

Get Book Here

Book Description
Media Role in African Changing Electoral Process analyzes the effect of mass media on African elections. Featuring contributions by leading African scholars and professionals, this book covers a wide array of social science disciplines, political discourses, and political communication issues. In addition, the book is an essential reference guide for mass media scholars, political scientists, consultants, professionals, and diplomats interested in the media’s role in the electoral process.

Protecting the right to freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights

Protecting the right to freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights PDF Author: Bychawska-Siniarska, Dominika
Publisher: Council of Europe
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 124

Get Book Here

Book Description
European Convention on Human Rights – Article 10 – Freedom of expression 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. 2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary. In the context of an effective democracy and respect for human rights mentioned in the Preamble to the European Convention on Human Rights, freedom of expression is not only important in its own right, but it also plays a central part in the protection of other rights under the Convention. Without a broad guarantee of the right to freedom of expression protected by independent and impartial courts, there is no free country, there is no democracy. This general proposition is undeniable. This handbook is a practical tool for legal professionals from Council of Europe member states who wish to strengthen their skills in applying the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in their daily work.

Media Freedom and Pluralism

Media Freedom and Pluralism PDF Author: Beata Klimkiewicz
Publisher: Central European University Press
ISBN: 615521185X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 364

Get Book Here

Book Description
Addresses a critical analysis of major media policies in the European Union and Council of Europe at the period of profound changes affecting both media environments and use, as well as the logic of media policy-making and reconfiguration of traditional regulatory models. The analytical problem-related approach seems to better reflect a media policy process as an interrelated part of European integration, formation of European citizenship, and exercise of communication rights within the European communicative space. The question of normative expectations is to be compared in this case with media policy rationales, mechanisms of implementation (transposing rules from EU to national levels), and outcomes.

New Media Influence on Social and Political Change in Africa

New Media Influence on Social and Political Change in Africa PDF Author: Olorunnisola, Anthony A.
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1466641983
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 518

Get Book Here

Book Description
While transitioning from autocracy to democracy, media in Africa has always played an important role in democratic and non-democratic states; focusing on politicians, diplomats, activists, and others who work towards political transformations. New Media Influence on Social and Political Change in Africa addresses the development of new mass media and communication tools and its influence on social and political change. While analyzing democratic transitions and cultures with a theoretical perspective, this book also presents case studies and national experiences for media, new media, and democracy scholars and practitioners.