Communication Rights
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Communication Rights

Recognizing and building on communication rights are integral to shaping societies that fully respond to human needs and to improve their economic, political, social and cultural lives. This section offers resources from different parts of the world related to the theory and practice of the right to communicate.

This 3-minute long animation on aspects of communication rights is intended as a discussion starter. The issues it covers are by no means complete and raise questions rather than provide answers.


 

What are Communication Rights?

Cees Hamelink (Communications Consultant, The Netherlands): «The freedom to express your opinion: that is a basic human right, and a basic communication right.» (5:15 min)

Communication rights claim spaces and resources in the public sphere for everyone to be able to engage in transparent, informed and democratic debate. They claim unfettered access to the information and knowledge essential to democracy, empowerment, responsible citizenship and mutual accountability. They claim political, social and cultural environments that encourage the free exchange of a diversity of creative ideas, knowledge and cultural products. Finally, communication rights insist on the need to ensure a diversity of cultural identities that together enhance and enrich the common good.