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Information, a fundamental right
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Hirondelle Foundation is registered under Swiss law
and falls under the jurisdiction of the
Swiss Confederation | We can describe ourselves by the demands we put on ourselves
In the first place, we represent professionalism and excellence in our field of activity. That means measurable results of clearly-defined goals, the capacity to assess situations, strict management, quality and a successful media product. Professionalism means everything to us. We want to carry out useful, concrete work. For that strictness and pragmatism are indispensable.
One of our cardinal rules is independence from political and economic influences. Only this independence can guarantee the impartiality of our journalistic activities and ensure that we remain credible to our audiences. No one apart from people appointed by the Foundation can demand or forbid the dissemination of a program or report by a Foundation media project. The Foundation aims to create or support independent media and only that.
Honesty is essential. By this we mean journalistic honesty which leads us as journalists to investigate the facts closely taking into account our subjectivity, our biases, our experiences and our personal points of view get in the way. An example of this honesty in action can be seen in the newsrooms of Foundation media projects where journalists from different and sometimes conflicting ethnic, national or religious groups work peacefully with each other. Honesty also applies in the more general sense, in our relations with third parties, hosts, donors and partners. In our contracts and our commitments we prefer honesty to cleverness.
The term otherness describes a whole range of characteristics to which we ascribe: respect for cultural differences, respect for particularities, tolerance. The Foundation does not hold out any prospects for material personal profit to its staff. Rather our activity is based on a belief in the universality of human values, in this respect we claim to be humanist, and in the universality of human rights.
The dignity of the individual, which is particularly threatened in situations of violence, war, massacres, seems to us to be the most precious of the inalienable rights of each human being.
Openness is also part of our identity. The staff of the Foundation comes from all nationalities and cultures.
What we want to promote
The independent media have a fundamental role, particularly in authoritarian, nondemocratic societies or in any situation where the independent media are banned. That is precisely why the Foundation works to establish an independent media under the most difficult circumstances.
The Foundation works towards the emergence of democratic and tolerant societies. It contributes to the development of public opinion which is responsible, civic-minded and open to dialogue. It places particular emphasis on justice as a factor leading to reconciliation.
The Foundation adheres to the recommendations of the UNESCO Round Table on the media in conflict and post-conflict regions.
The recommendations to the international community adopted at the meeting in Geneva, May 4-5, 2000 include:
UNESCO recommendations of June 14, 2000
Whenever the international community intervenes in a conflict or post-conflict situation, one of its main goals should be to promote the fulfilment of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its actions should always be understandable as part of a strategy aimed at extending the right to receive and impart information.
In particular, it should aim to strengthen independent local media, where these exist; to rebuild them where they have been destroyed; and to establish them where they do not exist. This priority should be spelt out clearly and unequivocally in any mandate given to an intergovernmental organisation (IGO).
The international community must be concerned with the establishment of the rule of law, in the media as in other sectors of society. It should therefore promote the establishment and implementation of an indep endent regulatory framework and an appellate system, providing full guarantees for freedom of expression.
Because the first days and months of any restructuring period are critical, the international community should be ready to act very swiftly , as much in handling local media as in other aspects of peace-building. Each situation will of course be unique, and a specific strategy for restructuring the media will have to be worked out in each case. |  |