MIAMI, Florida (Nov.
30, 2000)-The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) announced today that
it has decided to make online newspapers eligible for membership of the
hemisphere free-press organization - so long as they primarily carry news,
information and opinion like their printed counterparts, 1,300 of which
belong to the IAPA.
The way was paved for this new step by a resolution to this effect adopted
during the General Assembly in Santiago, Chile, last October.
IAPA President Danilo Arbilla, editor of the Montevideo, Uruguay, news weekly
Búsqueda, said the decision was reached following a series of meetings
that looked into the extent and scope of newspapers on the Internet and
recognition of the fact that "they, too, need to be defended against
any attempt to curtail freedom of expression."
The IAPA resolution declared that "to close any printing press or online
newspaper or make it unusable is harmful to culture and democracy."
Arbilla explained that the resolution was based on the spirit of Article
13 of the American Convention on Human Rights and Article 2 of the Declaration
of Chapultepec, which state that everyone has the right to freedom of thought
and expression, and to seek, receive and impart information and opinion
by any means and without any restriction whatsoever.
The IAPA consequently has amended its charter and bylaws to say that "bona
fide newspapers and magazines published six or more times a year, whether
printed or online, shall be eligible for Active membership" in the
Association. However, it stressed that it will not admit online newspapers
that do not primarily carry news, information and opinion or "originate
in a governmental concession."
For further details, contact the IAPA office, telephone (305) 634-2465.
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