Daily Archives: November 10, 2013

10 Nov 2013 01:23

An international press freedom delegation is to arrive in January to lobby in the interests of press freedom

An international press freedom delegation will come to the UK in January in a bid to stop new newspaper laws, reports the Sunday People.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers represents publishers and editors of 120 nations.

Todays announcement of the visit is timed to coincide with David Cameron going to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Sri Lanka this week.

Press freedom is expected to be high on the agenda.

Vincent Peyrgne, head of the Paris-based organisation, said: A press freedom mission to the UK is unprecedented.

But its difficult for the UK to lecture Sri Lanka and others about press freedom when its own actions result in such widespread international condemnation.

Politicians plan to end 300 years of a free press in this country by having a say in what can be printed.

The group has previously sent press freedom missions to Ethiopia, South Africa, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

See original here:
Royal Charter: International challenge to press restrictions in Britain

He added: A press freedom mission to the United Kingdom is unprecedented and we cannot underestimate our concern for what is happening.

We are concerned that these actions not only seriously damage the United Kingdoms historic international reputation as a staunch defender of press freedom, but provide encouragement to non-democratic regimes to justify their own repressive actions.

The delegation, which will consist of publishers and editors from around the world, will arrive in London in January for a series of meetings with government and opposition figures and also representative from the industry.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers was launched in 1948 and represents more than 18,000 publications around the world.

The majority of its work is focused on democratic states or countries with poor records on press freedom and human rights.

In the past it has sent missions to countries including South Africa, Yemen, Tunisia, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Ukraine and Guatemala.

This is the first time such a delegation would have visited Britain.

Originally posted here:
Press freedom delegation to visit Britain