ICE - special OSCE seeks to secure freedom of foreign owned media
The OSCE - the organisation for security and co-operation in Europe - wants to make sure that foreign-owned media in the region retain their editorial independence. The organisation's press freedom representative, Freimut Duve, has proposed a set of principles to ensure that readers know who their papers belong to, that foreign owners uphold democratic values and openly acknowledge any political affiliation. So far just two media groups have signed up - the Germany's WAZ-group and Orkla Media of Norway. The OSCE's press freedom representative, Freimut Duve, explains why the priniciples are necessary.
"It's very important in post socialist countries that people know a bit who is the owner and who is the co-owner. The motive is that yes, we have freedom of the media principles in western Europe but there are some companies who do not look at these principles when they invest somewhere else."
So have you seen then in central Europe countries such as Poland, Hungary and so on, western media groups not respecting the principles of independence?
"We have of course problems in some countries that certain nationalist groups, even radical religious groups, even people who are not so in favor of journalism, but other interests, trying to have there own companies. So when they come from the west they should obey the principles which were developed in their own countries."
So you're not against foreign ownership per se, it's just you want to make sure they adhere to the correct principles - are they less likely to do this in other countries than there own?
"I would say that some of the western companies were just trying to make money with not much foreign investment - low capital and high results"
But does the behavior of media groups differ to how they act in western Europe? I imagine east or west of Europe there are media groups trying to make money and not stick to thee principles that they should?
"Right but in general I would expect from any western company within their own country to obey to such principles, but that is another debate. It's a debate between companies and journalists."
But do you think when it comes down to it big media groups are actually going to follows these principles?
"That is of course a reality if you have a written constitution then you can always ask are people following it. Yes we have the paper and if its agreed by others, then journalists and interest groups can claim - ?look you've had a breach of what you signed'. It's a debate, not a law"
