[DRAFT] The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act

[New Dockland]

Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Mild

I proposed this idea before on the forum! I wrote up a draft proposal and I would love feedback. Thank you!

The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act establishes freedom of the press in all World Assembly member nations. In order for this universal right to be upheld, this act calls for the creation of the Universal Broadcasting Union. The Universal Broadcasting Union will be under the jurisdiction of The WA General Assembly. The union will ensure all WA member nations do no go against The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act.

All WA member nations will have obligations to uphold:

1. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) must be properly funded.
2. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) must be unbiased and must not be under the influence of the state.
3. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) cannot be funded by a political party or campaign.
4. Press freedoms must be respected in every WA member nation.
5. The news media must be allowed in government meetings and press briefings where it is appropriate for the news media to be present.
6. Each WA member nation must contribute funds to the Universal Broadcasting Union.

[Tinhampton]

Maybe you'll come up with drafts faster than two days after coming up with them soon if you carry on like this! Regardless, I'm still against - this seems remarkably wishy-washy, almost to the point of blogginess.

[Sierra Lyricalia]

OOC: See also GAR #155 if you intend to continue this - it's not all duplication, but there's a certain amount.

[Liberimery]

Liberimery will not support this bill so long as we are required to pay for a WA public broadcast channel. The press is the arm of the people not the state and we keep strict rules in place to avoid any financial improprieties.

[Kenmoria]

Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Mild I believe the correct category here would be education and creativity - free press.

The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act establishes freedom of the press in all World Assembly member nations. In order for this universal right to be upheld, this act calls for the creation of creates the Universal Broadcasting Union. The Universal Broadcasting Union will be under the jurisdiction of The WA General Assembly. The union will ensure all WA member nations do no go against The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act this resolution.

All WA member nations will have obligations to uphold: Some of the following clauses do have duplication with GA 155.

1. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) must be properly funded. By whom? Do you mean the member nations or the World Assembly?
2. Each nation's public broadcasters(if the nation has one) must be unbiased and must not be under the influence of the state.
3. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) cannot be funded by a political party or campaign.
4. Press freedoms must be respected in every WA member nation.
5. The news media must be allowed in government meetings and press briefings where it is appropriate for the news media to be present.
6. Each WA member nation must contribute funds to the Universal Broadcasting Union. Nowhere in this proposal have you mentioned what the Universal Broadcasting Union actually does, other than enforce compliance. If this is its only purpose, there is little value to keeping it, since member states should comply of their own accord.

“I’ve put some feedback and criticism above. This is a good starting idea, especially for what I assume is the first proposal by the New Dockland delegation. However, I recommend looking at the above suggestions and also replacing the first paragraph with a proper preamble, as can be seen in most passed resolutions.”

[New Dockland]

Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Mild I believe the correct category here would be education and creativity - free press.

The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act establishes freedom of the press in all World Assembly member nations. In order for this universal right to be upheld, this act calls for the creation of creates the Universal Broadcasting Union. The Universal Broadcasting Union will be under the jurisdiction of The WA General Assembly. The union will ensure all WA member nations do no go against The Broadcasting and Press Freedoms Act this resolution.

All WA member nations will have obligations to uphold: Some of the following clauses do have duplication with GA 155.

1. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) must be properly funded. By whom? Do you mean the member nations or the World Assembly?
2. Each nation's public broadcasters(if the nation has one) must be unbiased and must not be under the influence of the state.
3. Each nation's public broadcaster(if the nation has one) cannot be funded by a political party or campaign.
4. Press freedoms must be respected in every WA member nation.
5. The news media must be allowed in government meetings and press briefings where it is appropriate for the news media to be present.
6. Each WA member nation must contribute funds to the Universal Broadcasting Union. Nowhere in this proposal have you mentioned what the Universal Broadcasting Union actually does, other than enforce compliance. If this is its only purpose, there is little value to keeping it, since member states should comply of their own accord.

“I’ve put some feedback and criticism above. This is a good starting idea, especially for what I assume is the first proposal by the New Dockland delegation. However, I recommend looking at the above suggestions and also replacing the first paragraph with a proper preamble, as can be seen in most passed resolutions.”

Yes, this is my first! I'm very new to the game and thanks for being so nice. I appreciate the help and feedback, I'll work on it some more.

[Snowman]

I still relay support, but a problem I have, & don't know how to fix, is this "unbiased" thing. Publicly funded means funded by government, a lot of whom have parties & agendas they want to push. Maybe equal amounts from each party? Or realize some bias may come through. I don't have a good answer.

[Araraukar]

OOC: What exactly is a "public broadcaster"? Is it like the BBC (or in case of Finland, YLE) or something else? And broadcasting in what media? Radio? TV? Internet? All of the above? Some definitions are needed.

[Kuwi]

I’m torn, I support this only when the media isn’t trying to influence or control the government.

[Wallenburg]

I’m torn, I support this only when the media isn’t trying to influence or control the government.

Usually the issue is that the government would try to influence or control the media.

[Kuwi]

I’m torn, I support this only when the media isn’t trying to influence or control the government.

Usually the issue is that the government would try to influence or control the media.

But the opposite is still plausible

[Cosmopolitan borovan]

I like this but if public broadcasting is unbiased can u still have round table debate and opinions editorial

[Tinhampton]

I like this but if public broadcasting is unbiased can u still have round table debate and opinions editorial

Not that the absent author is going to answer you, but this is exactly why I do not support this proposal. National broadcasters should be free to work unchained from any undue WA restriction on their content.