The media plays an absolutely central role in the development of a knowledge-based society. It must be confident, vibrant, entertaining, surprising, pro-active, balanced and informed. It should scrutinise governments and corporations, but also international organisations and the donor communities themselves.
Media helps set the agenda and influence public debate.
An independent and plural media contributes to good government, promoting political transparency and accountability. Society benefits from free, independent, and pluralistic media. But to achieve this, a supportive policy environment is required, and it must be proactively encouraged by public and private sectors, the international community and multilateral agencies. Promote, consolidate and effectively enforce freedom of information legislation. Encourage independent voluntary complaints procedures based on industry codes of ethics, and including representation from other sectors of civil society.