Freedom ofthe Press initiative signed by St. Vincent
St Vincent and the Grenadines has becomethe third English speaking Caribbean country to sign on to theDeclaration of Chapultepec, which seeks to promote the freedomof the press.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves thismorning signed the agreement on behalf of the government and peopleof St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Declaration of Chapultepec came intobeing in 1994 at the Inter-American Press Association's (IAPA)hemispheric conference on Free Speech held at Chapultepec Castlein Mexico City.
The ten point Declaration is based on theprecept that no law or act of government may limit freedom ofexpression of the press, whatever the medium of communication.
Speaking at this morning's signing ceremony,Editor of the Barbados Nation Harold Hoyte says the signing ofthe Declaration by the government is a signal of its intentionto acknowledge the spirit of the Declaration.
Mr. Hoyte noted that while the agreementis not binding, it could be seen as a guiding policy for boththe government and the media.
Representative of the Inter-American PressAssociation Ricardo Trotti, pointed out that while the agreementis not binding, the Prime Minister has signed the document onbehalf of the people and it's up to the people to ensure thatthe principles set out in the agreement are upheld.
He says the signing of the agreement bySt Vincent and the Grenadines is part of a campaign by the IAPAto have all the countries in the English speaking Caribbean signon to it.
Prime Minister Gonsalves in his remarksstated that freedom of speech is deeply entrenched in the constitutionof this country.
He also reiterated this government's policyof being open with the media and plans to bring to the House ofAssembly legislation for the Freedom of Information Act.