DH-MIN(2007)009Rev.3
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Strasbourg, 12 June 2008 DH-MIN(2007)009rev.3 STEERING COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (CDDH) ______ COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES (DH-MIN) ______ ______ Information provided by the DH-MIN Members on the Questionnaire on the access of national minorities to the new media in the information society Informations fournies par les membres du DH-MIN concernant le Questionnaire sur l’accès des minorités nationales aux nouveaux médias dans la société de l’information _____ Original versions / Versions originales DH-MIN(2007)009rev.3 This document contains replies to the questionnaire on the access of national minorities to the new media in the information society (DH-MIN(2007)001), as they were submitted to the secretariat by the DH-MIN members. ******* Ce document inclut les réponses au questionnaire sur l’accès des minorités nationales aux nouveaux médias dans la société de l’information (DH-MIN(2007)001), telles qu'elles ont été soumises au secrétariat par les membres du DH-MIN. 2 DH-MIN(2007)009rev.3 Replies received / Réponses reçues Information submitted by Armenia .........................................................................................4 Information submitted by Azerbaijan......................................................................................5 Information submitted by Bosnia and Herzegovina.................................................................9 Information submitted by Bulgaria .......................................................................................16 Information submitted by the Czech Republic ......................................................................21 Information submitted by Denmark ......................................................................................25 Information submitted by Finland.........................................................................................29 Information submitted by Germany ......................................................................................39 Information submitted by Hungary .......................................................................................49 Information submitted by Italy..............................................................................................51 Information submitted by Latvia...........................................................................................56 Information submitted by Lithuania......................................................................................61 Information submitted by Moldova.......................................................................................66 Information submitted by the Netherlands ............................................................................70 Information submitted by Norway ........................................................................................76 Information submitted by Poland..........................................................................................81 Information submitted by Romania.......................................................................................86 Information submitted by Russian Federation.......................................................................92 Information submitted by Serbia...........................................................................................95 Information submitted by the Slovak Republic ...................................................................101 Information submitted by Slovenia .....................................................................................105 Information submitted by Sweden ......................................................................................110 Information submitted by Switzerland ................................................................................118 Information submitted by Ukraine ......................................................................................125 3 DH-MIN(2007)009rev.3 Information submitted by Armenia General 1. Describe what regulatory and other measures have been taken with regard to the new media and new communication services in order to promote the fundamental values of pluralism and diversity, respect for human rights and non-discriminatory access? By the department of national Minorities and Religious issues of Republic of Armenia initiated course of seminars on minority languages; Mass-media and national minorities. The seminars will be implanted in June 2007. Access to analogue and digital new media 3. What instruments have been developed to promote the passive and active access of national minorities to the new media? By the department of national Minorities and Religious issues of Republic of Armenia initiated a training course on journalism for minority representatives. The course is aimed primarily at those seeking participation in publication of national newspapers and new media. The course will offer combination of theoretical and practical study and training. In addition, much time, including evening and weekend work, will be spent in practical research, investigation and writing exercises. Information and communication technologies (ICT) 10. What instruments have been developed to promote the active use of new communication technologies by minorities? By the Harmony Fund 9 schools of villages with minority population are provided by computers. For each school two teachers are trained, technical assistance to schools and teachers is on-going. The Cultural Centre of Minorities of Armenia next month will be provided by computers and internet access. Each community will manage one computer. 4 DH-MIN(2007)009rev.3 Information submitted by Azerbaijan General 1. Describe what regulatory and other measures have been taken with regard to the new media and new communication services in order to promote the fundamental values of pluralism and diversity, respect for human rights and non-discriminatory access? The Law on Electronic Signature and Electronic Document, the Law on Post Service, the Law on Legal Protection of Data Compendiums, the Law on Electronic Trade, the Law on Telecommunication, and the Law on Access to Information form the legal framework with regard to new media. All these Laws are based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Article 21 of which guarantees equal rights and freedoms to every person regardless of race, nationality, religion, language, sex, origin, and prohibits discrimination. 2. Has a code of ethics/professional code of conduct been adopted by the service providers? Does it address the questions of non-discriminatory access and hate speech or other illegal content? The Professional Code of Conduct has been adopted by journalists at the First Congress of the Journalists on 15 March 2003. Article 3.1 of the Code sites: “Journalists should not censure people because of their nationality, race, sex, language, profession, religion or origin…” Access to analogue and digital new media 3. What instruments have been developed to promote the passive and active access of national minorities to the new media? The law on Access to Information which was adopted on September 30, 2005, entitles everybody to obtain information. Neither legal status nor other conditions, such as ethnic origin could be grounds for discrimination in providing information. The access of national minorities to telecommunication services and new ICT is promoted in the framework of the State Programme on the Social-economic Development of Regions in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2004-2008) endorsed by the Presidential Decree; new infrastructure is being developed. In Khinalig village of Guba region new television Station has been constructed by “Teleradio” Production Union for airing “AzTV”, “ITV” and “Lider TV” programmes and FM radio broadcasting stations have been established. FM broadcasting is provided by satellite tuners. Optic cable and wireless phone cable have been lined to Khinalig village, electronic phone and fax communication has been provided. After digitalisation of broadcasting in Azerbaijan different programmes (news, music, etc.) in national minority languages (Kurdish, Talish, Lezgi, etc.) have been broadcasted within the radio programme “Republic”. 4. What regulatory and other measures have been taken to promote cultural and linguistic diversity in the new media? Are there any specific legal provisions regulating the use of minority languages? 5 DH-MIN(2007)009rev.3 National Strategy on Information and Communication Technologies endorsed by the Presidential Decree in 2003 envisages creating opportunity for development of information resources for ethnic minorities living in Azerbaijan which will promote their cultural evolvement. (Article 6) 5. How has the development of new media affected the number and availability of the services in minority languages? Are the services on demand available in national minority languages? Are electronic programme guides available in national minority languages? By the development of new media the number of the services in minority languages has increased (example web-sites in minority languages). Services on demand and electronic programme guides are available in Russian. 6. What is the number of households with access to satellite digital television? Do the regions with compact minority populations differ from the average in terms of such access? General unimpeded access of population to satellite digital television is provided in every region of Azerbaijan;