U.N.E.S.C.O. media probe

Press, 23 October 1980, Page 7

U.N.E.S.C.O. media probe

NZPA-Reuter Belgrade! A United Nations agency, overriding Western objections, has decided to proceed with research into the influence of advertising on news media, and to publish a report on violence and pornography in the media. A committee at the biennial general conference in Belgrade of the United Nations Educational. Scientific, and Cultural Organisation also upheld plans to assist professional journalists’ organisations and “other appropriate bodies” interested in protecting journalists in their work. Denmark and Sweden, backed by other Western States, had proposed to delete those -schemes from U.N.E.S.C.O.’s communications programme for 1981-83 to save money for other activities. That move was defeated as was a United States proposal to postpone the schemes pending a review of U.N.E.S.C.O.’s activities in the communications field.

Both decisions must go before a plenary session of the conference, which ends on October 28. Their acceptance’ is assured because of support ■' from developing countries which hold a voting majority in the ,152nation organisation.

Voting in the committee took place as Western, Communist, and Third World States engaged in backstage negotiations on plans to help developing countries put itheir news-and views across to the rest of the world. A 12-nation group continued private talks on draft proposals to implement a controversial report on international news reporting and communications - produced by a commission under the former Irish Foreign Minister, Sean MacBride.

Delegate sources said Western representatives objected to passages defining principles for a new world information order which Third World States hope will help them develop their own news media and end what they consider domination of international communications by the rich industrial States.

Western delegates later reported progress in negotiations to . follow up the MacBride report, but Western sources said there were no prospects for agreement on the new world information order. ■•- . : Western ■ Governments argue that more time and reflection were needed to work out agreed principles for the new order.