III. Conclusions

The potential of the new media is ambivalent. They hold a hitherto unseen potential to empower the individual by providing greater freedom of information that can lead to innovative courses of practical action. But they also contain possibilities for widespread manipulation of information and governmental censorship. A central challenge is to fully exploit the potential of the new media without compromising the fundamental right of freedom of expression.

The same principles apply to the new media as to the traditional media. The free flow of ideas by word and image is a prerequisite for any social and economic development. However, while what we often call “new media” technologies always imply the fundamental right to freedom of expression for the individual, they do not necessarily imply freedom of the press.

Efforts to support new communication technologies, therefore, must be placed alongside efforts to support press freedom. Efforts to support press freedom must be complemented with capacity-building efforts to strengthen professional standards and socio-economic programs to combat poverty. The impact of new media is, after all, dependent on quality of journalism and accessibility. The issue of curbing free speech has been a central theme at this conference. We must continue to draw attention to the crucial role that free, independent and pluralistic media play in the democratic process.

We must emphasize that all citizens have the right to express their ideas and opinions worldwide, yet there is a problem with governments that use new technologies to censor information and with corporations that knowingly sell this technology to governments.

The media’s work in providing independent and trustworthy information has contributed significantly to processes of reconstruction and reconciliation. At a recent forum in Bali, media and communications professionals from more than 30 countries pledged to create a “Power of Peace Network” committed to building mechanisms through which media and information technologies can contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and peace.

The greatest role that new media can play is to foster peace and understanding, for mutual understanding can only be achieved through a continuous exchange of information and knowledge.