Asia Media Forum Charter

We, the participants of Asia Media Forum in Bangkok, Thailand,
17-19 December 2006:

1) Recall Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media, and regardless of frontiers”,

2) Stand for human dignity, human rights, gender equity, social justice, equitable economic progress and a participatory and democratic polity,

3) Recall the United Nations Millennium Declaration that sets out a human rights-based approach to development, in which participation and transparency in decision-making, empowerment and accountability play a key role,

4) Stress that Asian media has a crucial role to play in promoting key elements of just, democratic and accountable governance, including the rule of law, independent and pluralistic media is important to ensure transparency and civic participation as fundamental elements of human rights-based development and poverty reduction,

5) Emphasise that solidarity and co-operation among Asian media and journalists would promote better understanding and closer cooperation among Asian countries and their peoples as well as articulate shared visions and raise professional standards,

6) Empower journalists to resist censorship in all forms,

7) Support the greater participation and empowerment of women and diverse voices in media ;

We unanimously call upon Asian journalists, media practitioners, outlets and associations:

a) To commit ourselves to the highest standards of professional ethics, media freedom and media education,

b) To put in place mechanisms, sufficient resources and personnel to promote professional journalism, first-hand news gathering and to investigate stories,

c) To commit ourselves to raise public awareness and understanding about corruption, human rights violations, other abuse of power and increasing the space in the media to highlight democratic deficits and issues affecting the large sections of excluded and marginalised people,

d) To report fairly and professionally on conflict situations within the region,

e) To build a platform for interaction, shared learning and interregional co-operation to promote ethical, substantive, inclusive and non-discriminatory media in the region

f) To create a space for exchanging ideas, news, information and views on democracy, development and human rights,

g) To strive for providing safety for journalists and to hold respective governments and media organisations responsible for the safety of journalists and to end the culture of impunity which encourages murder, intimidation, harassment and other attacks on journalists,

j) To strive to create an environment where media messages are shaped by the needs of the people rather than commercialism,
k) To strive for greater freedom of movement for journalists across Asia

Bangkok, December 19, 2006