September 29, 2004
By Trinidad Vasquez

GUATEMALA - Journalists and Christian communicators from Central America who participated in the seminar "The right to communication is a human right," held in this capital from September 15 - 18, agreed to support actions for a new world communication order impelled by the World Association For Christian Communication (WACC),

During the meeting, Myrian Horngren, coordinator of the WACC's "Advocacy" network said that information is increasingly reduced in Third World countries and globalization also decides what should be said and to whom. Rich nations are keeping us from informing with freedom and we are losing our cultural identity. We must break the culture of fear and strengthen the network of community and participatory radio in the meso-American region. This constitutes a New International Information Order, she said.

Legal advisor for the National Center of Social Communication (CENCOS) of Mexico, David Peqa Rodrmguez, said that communication media throughout the world are a private power that is superior to some public powers. In Mexico there was a great debate between business men and the state, dominated in the end by the businessmen, he said.

While the Mexican Constitution guarantees freedom of expression there are elements in secondary laws that make it necessary to struggle to protect journalistic sources, which are in danger.

Meeting participants were very positive about the work of community and participatory media networks, such as ARPAS in El Salvador, the CERIGUA news agency of Guatemala and the network "Mujeres al Aire," also from Guatemala.

Participants committed themselves to seeking to construct alliances with other communication professionals both from the private sector and civil society and to improve their political lobbying capacity in each country in the region in favor of democratizing communication.

ALC News Service