U.N. Sets “Watchdog” On Freedom Of Press

Chronicle (Levin), 26 February 1949, Page 5

U.N. Sets “Watchdog” On Freedom Of Press

Received Friday, 7.35 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 24. In the face of Soviet opposition the United Nations to-day set up a new body of**twelve independent experts to wjatch over the freedom of the press throughout th world. The Economic and Social Council de e'ided to establish a" "sub-commission oa freedom of infofmation and the press," the members of which will be selected by the Commission on Human Rights subject to the consent of their Governments. They will serve as "experts in their personal capaeities and /iot as ofiicial representa't-ives. " The term of ofiiee is to expire on December 21, 1952. Speeifically the sub-commia-sion will report to the Economic and Social Council on (among other things): Firstly: • How much freedom of infarmation is given to the peoples of f,the world. Secondly: The persistent dissemina-, tion of information which is false, distorted or otherwise ihjurious ta thb principles of the United Nations Charter. Thirly: To promote the dissemination of true_ information "to counteract

XTazi, Fascist or any other propagaqda of aggression or racial, national, religious or any/ other discrimination measures. " '' Fourthly: To help foreign correspondents. The Soviet .group (Russia, Poland and Byelo-Russia) qbjected. They said the repyesentatives should be chosen by and spenk for -their governments, -otherwise* they would merely promote the interest of "capitalist press monopolists. "