Globe International Center, Mongolian free expression NGO, Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and Mongolian Journalists Association under the support of the UNESCO, Beijing Office, marked the World Press Freedom Day 2014 on May 1, 2014 at the Lawyers’ Hall of the National Legal Institute. The event gathered more than 50 officials, international organisations, NGOs, journalists and media practitioners.
G.Jargalsaikhan, Secretary General, UNESCO Natcom in his opening speech introduced the UNESCO’s 2014 WPFD global theme “Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the Post-2015 Development Agenda”.
Video Message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day was presented to the participants.
Andrea Cairola, IC Advisor, UNESCO, Beijing Office took a presentation on the theme “Free media contributes to the Good Governance, capacity building and poverty reduction”.
A.Tsetsegmaa, UN Resident Coordination Specialist introduced on MDG goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda. She noted Mongolia is one of the few countries that approved the 9th add on goal “To ensure human rights and develop democratic governance”.
D.Munkhburen, GIC Lawyer has taken presentation on the theme “Rule of Law to Ensure Safety of Journalists and Combating Impunity”. She explained definition of impunity, global issues and Mongolian situation concerning impunity.
GIC has been monitoring free expression violation cases since 2006 and registered in total 300 cases including assaults, pressure, insults, demanding to reveal information source, intimidations, detention and criminal defamation.
D.Munkhburen mentioned the UN Human Rights Committee recommendation of 2011 on the implementation of ICCPR to the Mongolian Government: The State party … should consider decriminalizing defamation and ensure that measures are taken to protect journalists from threats and attacks. It should also ensure that all allegations of such threats and attacks are immediately and thoroughly investigated, and that the perpetrators are prosecuted.
The Mongolian Government should submit the next report on the implementation of the ICCPR to the UNHRC in 2015.
D.Tserenjav, independent media expert and executive director of Transparency Fund introduced the “Recommendations to the Government: Outcomes of the Mongolian Media Assessment survey using the UNESCO MDIs”
In 2013 Globe International Center in collaboration with the Mongolian Journalists` Association, Press Institute and Transparency Fund carried out a comprehensive survey “Media Development Assessment of Mongolia” using the UNESCO Media Development Indicators (MDIs). MDIs have been endorsed in 2008 by the UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) through a broad international consultation. It includes 50 main indicators and 194 sub-indicators to assess the complex issues of the media sector.
The partner organisations held on October 29-30, 2013 in Ulaanbaatar the National Media Conference. The Conference participants from the media sector (public and private broadcasters as well as media associations), the national government and legislators, the civil society, as well as national and international experts reviewed the draft survey, participatory discussed a stock of issues affecting media development and developed a set of recommendations on improvements of the Mongolian media environment to be delivered to the Government.
G.Gunjidmaa, Press Institute researcher as a member of initiators’ team introduced on the establishment of the Mongolian Media Council. MMC initiators team joined more than 20 organisations. She introduced about the activities carried out by the initiators team since October, 2013.
S.Sharavdorj, President of the Rural Media Association introduced on the Government Working Group: Increasing access to the Information for the rural population.
Kh.Narantsetseg, GIC project coordinator introduced on the establishment of NAIZ (Friend) network for free expression, digital rights and the right to anonymity. The network was established in the framework of the NICE Campaign with the support of IFEX in March, 2014. It aims to continue the joint actions to protect free expression, digital rights and right to anonymity and to lobby the Government prior to the UN Human Rights Committee meeting that will discuss the Mongolian Government report on implementation of the ICCPR in 2015.
The video clip of hip hop song “Tsagiin Tsahilaa” that produced in the framework of the NICE Campaign was presented to the participants. The song called the youth to respect each other in the internet world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKqsIxN-ds
The Recommendations on improvements of the Mongolian media environment were handed over to the Mongolian Government to be represented by Mr.D.Tsogt-Ochir, First Deputy Head of the Cabinet Secretariat for Government.
Mr.Tsogt-Ochir promised to introduce the recommendations to the Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag.
The 2014 Media Freedom Award “For the Truth!” was handed over to TV9 station’s ‘Mongol comment’ programme’. The programme is delivering public expression, opinions and scrutiny without discrimination and gained audience sympathy.