Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute

Press Freedom and Globalisation
Human Rights concerning freedom of information. UNESCO is the United Nations special
agency in this matter. Thus, the global human rights machinery promotes press freedom.
Agents promoting press freedom regimes can be institutions, organisations,
individuals and invisible forces. There are mainly four of these. First, the World Bank
spreads press freedom because it is supposed to support development. Second, NGOs are
agents and constitute a global movement and network for press freedom. Third, the
globalising of media ethics narrows and strengthens the concept of press freedom. Fourth,
harmonised journalism education and professionalisation strengthens press freedom
globally.
Circumstances supportive of international press freedom regimes are four. First,
liberal market economy creates a symbiotic relationship with notions of press freedom.
Markets provide media with economic independence to act freely. Second, a shared culture
supports the growth of global media and promotion of global media freedom. Third, civil
society develop partnership with media to promote free media. Fourth, in a democracy free
media legitimises democratic rule. Those who benefit from a democratic system support
media due to its stabilising effect.
The spread of the global media raised three types of criticism. Firstly, the press has
been accused of maintaining hegemony of ruling elites and being manipulated to benefit
only the elite. Proprietors of global media are the same, or like-minded to, as other owners
of global businesses. Press freedom is used to mean business freedom, and the spread of
free media means increasing markets. Media’s social responsibility, therefore, ranks below
profits for the media owners. Free media’s ability to stabilise existing order is also in the
interest of the elite.
Secondly, there are questions as to whether press freedom in reality supports
democracy and human rights. There have been double standards in terms of application
and expectations. The United States has been accused of double standards in its promotion
127