Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-15
Press Freedom Treaty
Ratifications Await
u. n. Action in Fall
by The Assoeio'sd Press

NEW YORK, May l4.-1ne
United Nations Assembly early to-
day approved a proposed world
treaty covering the rights and pri-
vileges of foreign news corre-
spondents.
The Assembly voted. however
not to open the treaty for ratifi-
cation by individual countries I'M
til after action is taken this fall
on a companion treaty on free
dom of information.
The approved treaty is known as
the Convention on the Interna-
tional Transmission Of News and
the Right of Correction" The
final vote was 80 to 6 with Is
abstentions. Only the Soviet bloc
countries cast negative votes.
Bitter Fight Precedes Action.
The decision was taken at 2:40
am. after q bitter fight between
the United States and Russia over
peacetime censorship. The United
States won approval of its de-
mands that censorship should be
limited strictly to matters of ma
tional defense except in time OF
war.
Erwin D. Canham. American
delegate, editor of the Christian
Science Monitor, said the conven-
ton is adopted is one that the
United States could accept, II 1t
wishes to do 50.
American newsmen." he said.
will have to study this conven-
ton very carefully and make up
their minds on its merits"
In the concluding debate, Soviet
Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei
A. Gromyko rejected the whole
convention on behalf OF Russia
and the peoples democracies.'
Mr.. Gromyko said 1t was de-
signed to insure the most favor
able conditions to newspaper
monopolies and help promote
"the furious campaign Of whip
ping UP war hysteria which as
tonishes all who set foot on
American soil"
Provisions Of Treaty.
The 23-article draft treaty:
Defines news material as infor-
nation or opinion transmitted In
writing or by Recommendations
by information agencies. including
press, broadcasting, film. televi-
sion and facsimile organizations.
Defines correspondents as en-
ployes of such agencies regularly
engaged in the collection and re-
porting of news material and car
rying valid passports.
Provides that signatories should
facilitate the entry, residence and
circulation of correspondents,
guarantee correspondents against
expulsion while engaged in the
lawful exercise of their duties.
and insure them equal access to
news and transmission facilities
without discriminatory rates.
Prohibits censorship in peace
time except for reasons Of nation
al defense and lays down strict
regulations to be followed II, and
when, censorship is found neces-
sary.
Corrections May Be Issued.
The words the right of correc-
ton" in the conventions title
refer to a section providing that
signatories would have a right to
correct" news dispatches which
they consider injurious to them.
The draft provides that they can
submit their. own statements to
the governments of countries
where the injurious dispatches
were published and these govern
ments will make them available to
recognized news organizations.
Publication of the correctives, how
ever, would not be compulsory.
If the Assembly approves the
companion convention on. free
dom of information at its fall
session, both treaties would be cir
culated for ratification.
The treaties will not be bind