Right to Radio Spectrum (Kathmandu Declaration)

[The text in this pattern is from the March 11, 2003 press release of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters]

Community broadcasters demand right to radio spectrum

THE Eight World Assembly of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC8), held in Kathmandu, has insisted the radio spectrum be recognised as part of the global commons with guaranteed access to community broadcasters. AMARC 8 brought together 260 delegates in Kathmandu, representing more than 2000 community broadcasters. The AMARC Assembly is a four yearly gathering and the major global forum for the community media movement. In a final declaration (the Kathmandu Declaration), the Assembly called on governments to give community media first access to the radio airwaves.

Kathmandu Declaration

The Kathmandu Declaration draws attention to the threats posed by rampant militarism, accelerated privatization of the world's basic resources, religious fundamentalism and extreme capitalism. The Declaration recognizes the right to communicate is in great jeopardy while many countries are yet to sign the United Nation Charter on Human Rights more than 50 years after its creation.

The Declaration endorses the African Charter on Broadcasting and calls on all nations and governments to create and implement legislation that provides community access and ownership to the airwaves with particular attention to the rights of women, children, the disabled and other disadvantaged groups.

International Charter

Delegates to AMARC 8 also agreed an International Charter on Community Media. The Charter marks the coming of age for AMARC as a global movement representing community broadcasters worldwide. It is the culmination of discussions and debate which began in Milan at the AMARC 7 Conference and continued at the AMARC 8 Conference in Kathmandu.