News
New UNGA Resolution Strengthens UNESCO's Commitment to Media Development for Indigenous Peoples
marks an important step towards fostering cooperation among Indigenous, commercial and public service media. It urges Member States to review national policies, practices and funding related to Indigenous media and the representation of Indigenous content and services in other media.
Aligned with UNESCO's priorities, this resolution holds important implications for the development of free, pluralistic and independent media. It fosters an enabling environment for media growth and sustainability.
Media is the arena where freedom of expression and right to information are exercised. UNESCO applauds this important development, as it strongly aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure the plurality of sources of information and representation of every group in society, and the participation of citizens in the public debate, particularly Indigenous peoples. Fostering Indigenous-owned media and encouraging mainstream media to reflect Indigenous issues and points of view is vital to ensure that media represents the diversity of society.
In April 2023, UNESCO received a recommendation from the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to formulate strategic recommendations for the development of media. Throughout the year, UNESCO organised a series of multi-stakeholder consultations towards this goal. Future recommendations will address issues such as establishing and supporting national and international media networks, promoting fair representation of Indigenous Peoples in mainstream media and online services, collaborating with public broadcasters and media regulators, and providing resources for media to develop inclusive editorial policies. The Human Rights Council, in October 2023, also reminded governments of Indigenous peoples’ rights in relation to media ().
In 2024, UNESCO will continue its study in collaboration with other UN entities, Indigenous Peoples and experts in media studies and Indigenous affairs. The study will analyze national policies, practices and funding programmes related to Indigenous Peoples’ media development. It will also review measures taken by states and mainstream media, particularly public broadcasters, to reflect Indigenous cultural and linguistic diversity and ensure the freedom of expression of Indigenous peoples.
UNESCO is dedicated to building a future where media represents the diversity of society, thereby realizing its full democratic potential.
For more information on UNESCO’s actions on media pluralism and diversity, visit our webpage.
Resources
(A/RES/78/189, paragraph 41)
(A/HRC/54/L12, paragraph 11)
UNESCO multistakeholder consultations on the Indigenous media in 2023
Meeting report
Meeting report
On the margins of the 16th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)
Meeting report
