CubaMinrex. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

ISLA MARGARITA PROGRAM OF ACTION ON THE PROMOTION OF AN OBJECTIVE VOICE OF THE SOUTH IN THE FACE OF THE CURRENT TRENDS IN THE FIELDS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Introduction

The Ministers of Information of the Non-Aligned Countries, gathered during the Seventh Conference of Ministers of Information of the Non-Aligned Countries (COMINAC VII) held in Isla Margarita (the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela), 2 4 July 2008;

Driven by the principles and challenges addressed in the Isla Margarita Declaration;

Agreed on the adoption of the following Program of Action:

On the Broadcasting Organization of Non-Aligned Countries (BONAC)

1. Revitalize the functioning of BONAC, including its enlargement and serving as a NAM media network that acts as an instrument to enable the exchange of radio and TV programs among NAM members.

2. Explore, to that end, the feasibility, including the identification of the necessary technical and financial resources, to establish the NAM Media Network through a virtual radio and TV functioning on servers located in each of the regions NAM countries are from and based on a programming policy that respects the principles and purposes of NAM, as well as existing provisions relative to Internet broadcasting.

3. Consider the South-South Information Gateway (SSIG) as a model for the exchange of radio and television programmes.

On the NAM News Network (NNN)

1. Decide that NNN should maintain a constant information flow towards the NAM Media Network.

2. Decide that NNN shall report to COMINAC VIII on its activities.

On the promotion of TELESUR

1. Use TELESUR as a means to promote an objective voice of our countries of the South through, inter alia, the following ideas and modalities:

i. Providing an objective window into the way of life in NAM countries, through TELESUR programming;
ii. Film and broadcast through TELESUR various programs of series of reports on the origin and evolution of NAM, its founding fathers, its Summit Conferences and other milestones in the history of the Movement;
iii. Establish a historic and cultural program in each NAM country that shows the cultural diversity of NAM members. The contributions to these programs shall count on the support and cooperation of each of the countries object of these reports.

On other issues of interest for the NAM

1. Work closely with the international community to increase technology transfer, including ICTs, and to adopt policies and programs allowing developing countries to place technology at the service of development through, inter alia, technical cooperation, as well as building scientific and technical capacities to bridge the existing digital divide and development gap.

2. Enhance the existing multilateral mechanisms in assisting all countries, in particular those mentioned in paragraph 16 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles, to develop ICT infrastructures and build ICT services that are viable and competitive at the national and international levels.

3. Support the Digital Solidarity Fund set up in Geneva as an innovative and voluntary financial mechanism, and explore other new voluntary sources for increasing contributions to this Fund.

4. Increase cooperation to promote a New World Information Order, by taking new initiatives with special emphasis on improving the contents of the programs as well as the existing communication network systems of NAM members and those of other developing countries.

5. Undertake a reflection on norms and values for the emerging Information and knowledge Society.

6. Invest in the training of human resources as well as in improving and upgrading of technologies in the area of information and communication, with a view to meet the challenges of a globalized world.

7. Utilize current mechanisms of disseminating information to help NAM countries create an enabling environment not only to retain but also attract talents and/or professionals in the field of information and communications.

8. Organize training programs, both in higher education institutions and journalism schools, to develop appropriate tools for in-depth analysis and research on issues of common and specific interest to NAM countries.

9. Call for an immediate end to the misuse of media for inciting and launching concerted campaigns against NAM members, including, inter alia, the hostile use of radio and electronic transmissions, which is contrary to the principles of international law.

10. Continue to strengthen the coordination of NAM efforts related to information and communication within the United Nations, including UNESCO, and other relevant international organizations and agencies. In this context, the Ministers took note of the Message of the NAM Chapter in UNESCO to COMINAC-VII.