UNESCO withdraws patronage to Reporters without Borders

UNESCO has withdrawn its patronage of the Online Free Expression Day, organised by the non-governmental organisation, Reporters Without Borders.

UNESCO reiterated its support for freedom of expression on the internet but felt compelled to withdraw patronage following the publication of information by RSF which did not follow the arrangements agreed upon between the two organisations concerning the event.

Following a request from RSF, made through the French National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura, in a letter dated February 22, granted UNESCO patronage to the international day. This letter clearly indicated, however, that the Organisation could not “be associated with the activities envisaged for this occasion” by RSF.

In its communications on the day, RSF published material concerning a number of UNESCO’s Member States, which UNESCO, had not been informed of and could not endorse. Furthermore, UNESCO’s logo was placed in such a way as to indicate the Organisation’s support of the information presented.

UNESCO has a clear mandate to defend the free flow of information and freedom of expression. It does so using the channels and fora of a UN intergovernmental organisation, respecting the sovereignty of its 193 Member States.

For example, UNESCO spearheaded debate in favour of freedom of expression on the internet throughout the UN-organised World Summit of the Information Society and continues to do so in the Internet Governance Forum, an ongoing UN dialogue on the future of the internet.