Discours fait à Mardin (Turquie) à l’occasion du dialogue Turquie Europe
With the Lisbon Treaty, Culture has made a step forward. The former article 151 became 167 with a shift from the unanimous decision-making to majority voting. However, as there is still no common regulation in the cultural policy area, the Qualified Majority voting rule will apply principally to decisions concerning the funding programs.In addition to the specific article on culture, the Lisbon treaty refers several more times to culture. In the Preamble culture is added to the religious and humanist inheritance of Europe. Article three of the Preamble adds a new paragraph saying that the EU shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced. In article 6 dealing with the areas of the Union’s competence, the Treaty reiterates that culture is one of these areas. Article 300 mentions cultural actors as members of civil society and mandatory representatives in the economic and social committee. This makes quite a change to the Constitution submitted in 2004, and rejected by the referendums in two member states, France and the Netherlands..The progress made since 2004 is to be considered as the awareness of the heads of State that diversity needs investment and dialogue. No doubt the programs initiated by the European Commission contributed to open the space and to cross barriers. The Year of intercultural Dialogue in 2008 had a very positive effect. Cultural Diversity became a high level topic for many initiatives. The white Paper edited by the Council of Europe is for sure a common groundwork for further action. As words are even mightier than swords, the interpretation of words is a very serious concern. It is the great responsibility of writers and publishers to consider the lack of understanding existing among a large average of the population. Freedom of expression is protected, the insufficient knowledge and education of the readers unfortunately at a high standard.Two main controversial concepts come to my mind when speaking about media and intercultural dialogue. On one hand freedom of speech has become an ethical standard not to be touched, on the other hand the interpretation of words and pictures may lead to intolerance and violence, manipulating people.
The international, Covenant on Civil and Political rights “ signed and ratified 36 years ago says:
Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference; Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice”.[ 6]
The same international Human Rights Commission issued in 1998 the following on religious freedom:
The freedom of religion and belief extends to the right to manifest one’s religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. The right to manifest a belief is subject only to limitations provided by law which are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
What is the role of the State concerning regulation, legislation, judicial instruments, and finally above all education?
First we have to be aware that the history of the totalitarian ideologies in the 20th century are lessons to be learnt. Never again should it be possible that dictatorship may come to forth and the pressure of whatever authority prohibit media and citizens to speak freely without any danger of repression.
Freedom of expression is guaranteed to the press by legislation. Not yet worldwide, nor in every country. The existence of international treaties and their ratification is no guarantee for freedom of expression.
More than 100 journalists are in Turkish prisons, I guess this is explaining my presence here, as the only European speaker on the speakers list! Freedom of speech is highlighted as one of the fundamental human rights in the conclusions of the Council of Europe’s Year of intercultural Dialogue. Article 10 par.1 of the Convention on Human Rights guarantees Freedom of expression. The European Court of Human Rights has however set a high bar against restrictions on free expression, indicating the even expressions that « offend, shock or disturb » should be protected. (cit. white paper CE)
A government that is not able to tolerate a free press gives evidence of its own weakness. History has told the European continent, that neither the Dictatorship of the Nazis, nor the Communist regimes have survived.
History tells us as well that the importance of the media is immense. Be it in their link to governments or opposition, be it in their role of investigation, reporting and commenting.
The role of the Press is huge in the transmission of messages. However you may ask as well how free is the press? The European Parliament never achieved to have a report by the Commission about the economic concentration of Media. Yet it is well known that the power of the press is highly dependant on its links to religious, economic, nationalistic or governmental interests.
Learning from the history of Europe should help us to take a new start to build up a truly European public opinion. The launch of a new media, reporting the same message of a European common future, build on the recognition of each member state’s autonomy, of each individual’s right of expression, of the historical background, which is linked to the tragedies of the conflicts during the 20th century would be a step forward to a better understanding.
When I was approached by the initiator of “The Journal of Europe”, a monthly edition in the language of each member state to be launched at the end of the year, I was enthusiastic. The same background information of European policy, linked to a website and interactive communication tool could improve the knowledge about our common history since the creation of the EU.
However the task is a great challenge, as media free from the pressure of stakeholders, political leaders national interests, has to be built on solid financial resources.
As it still is work in progress and not yet a reality, this conference allows me to speak publicly on it for the first time.
One year ago the Arab Spring has launched a new dimension with the internet becoming the main instrument of organizing meetings. Who controls the Internet? When the European Parliament rejected the Acta trade agreement, which aimed at the protection of goods, the prevention of counterfeiting, the free access to the net was on the forefront of the debate. Finally the Acta agreement was rejected by the Parliament, in spite of the damage caused by all kind of hackers, the absolute right of free access is considered as a high value.
Freedom of speech should however be counterbalanced by the respect for each other’s beliefs and traditions. There again the press has a great responsibility.
Information and the transmission of knowledge presume high qualified research, separation of what is information and what is the comment, respect of the opinion of other cultures, and last but not least a solid linguistic understanding of words.
Journalists and editors do not have an easy task, however their presence in a world without restrictions to freedom of speech may help educating public opinion.