31 October 1999
Subscription 33 (5/1999)
6.
To broaden mutual understanding between countries and their peoples, to
participate in the work of citizens of the world for peace, independence,
democracy and social progress.
Article 7
Provision of information to the media.
Organizations shall have the right and obligation to provide information to the media
and to assist the media in providing accurate and up-to-date information and shall be
responsible before the law for the content of information provided within the scope
of their rights and obligations.
In respect of court cases which are under investigation or are pending hearing, an
organization which is involved in legal proceedings may choose not to provide
information to the media, however, the media shall remain entitled to rely on their
own sources and report the matter to the public and shall be responsible before the
law for the content of the information provided.
The media shall have the right and obligation not to disclose the names of persons
providing information where it is possible that such disclosure may cause harm to
those persons, except in cases where a request is made by the director of the people's
inspectorate or the chief judge of the people's courts at provincial level or equivalent
or superior bodies and disclosure is necessary for the investigation and judging of
serious offences.
Article 8
Response through the media.
The head of a media organization may request relevant organizations or officials to
respond to issues which are raised by citizens; the relevant organizations and
officials shall then be responsible for so responding.
Organizations and citizens may request that media organizations respond to the
matters of which they have been informed; the media organizations shall then be
responsible for so responding.
In the event that media organizations discover or receive complaints or allegations
from citizens in relation to matters which may involve a breach of the law, they shall
immediately report such matters in writing to the organization responsible for
investigation or to the Public Prosecution; the organization responsible for
investigation or the Public Prosecution shall then be responsible for proceeding with
the cases and notifying the media of the measures which will be taken in the
resolution of those matters.
Article 9
1.
Corrections through the media.
Where the media reports information which is untruthful, distorted, or
slanderous and harmful to the reputation of an organization or to the
reputation and dignity of a citizen, it shall print or broadcast a correction and
�� Ministry of Planning and Investment
and
Allens Arthur Robinson
XV-14