From the first draft text in 1993 the text was seen by the initiators as an open and dynamic document. Numerous people and institutions around the world became involved in commenting upon and editing the text. The present text does reflect the input from a great variety of supporters in many different national and cultural situations. The following core principles emerged in the debates around the charter. Communication in society cannot be monopolized by governmental or commercial forces.
People have a right to the protection of their cultural space.
Information and communication providers should accept accountability for their products and services. The realization of the people's right to communicate cannot be a homogeneous project. This will take different forms in different socio-cultural and political contexts. There may be the establishment of an ombudsman office for the quality of the cultural environment, or a civil society campaign to rescue public broadcasting. The focus may be on the protection of children against advertising or on actions against media stereotyping of people with a handicap.