International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions
Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, October 04, 2001
IFLA Statement on Terrorism, the Internet and Free
Access to Information
The recent terrorist attacks on New York and Washington shocked and appalled librarians
and information professionals around the world. The loss of life and destruction of
facilities, including 80 libraries, horrify us. IFLA joins with our library colleagues and
the people of the world in mourning the innocent victims and extend our deepest sympathy
and support to the families and friends of victims, the survivors and others who have
suffered.
Calls to restrict the core human rights to freedom of expression and free access to
information are reported in the wake of these tragic events. It has been suggested that
some of the suspected hijackers may have communicated with each other by using Internet
services at public libraries. Terrorists are alleged to have used the World Wide Web to
help plan their outrages. Such implications are being used to justify restrictions on free
speech and freedom of information and increased surveillance.
But we have not heard the other side of the story. Use of Internet news sites doubled
during the week after the attacks. Families and friends used email to check on the safety
of their loved ones – across city and across the world. Website operators responded
to the thirst for news by bolstering their servers and increasing the frequency of
updates. The result was that people throughout the world used websites and streaming audio
and video feeds to get up to the minute information on the events and their aftermath.
This demonstrates the force of the ideal of free access to information and freedom of
expression. It may be misused but it strengthens the peoples of the world.
The campaign against terrorism is to be won. A vital strategy is to safeguard the best
access to information. Barriers to the free flow of information should be removed,
especially those that promote inequality, poverty and despair.
The Chair of the IFLA/FAIFE Committee Mr. Alex Byrne, said:
“We should build respect and understanding between the diverse cultures of the world.
We should help construct communities where people of different backgrounds can live
together as neighbors. Freedom is something for which we must fight, not by limiting it
but by strengthening it.”
The commitment to intellectual freedom is a core responsibility for the library and
information profession worldwide. Libraries have a responsibility to guarantee and
facilitate access to expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity. To this end,
libraries provide access without fear or favour. That openness is a safeguard of our
freedoms. It cannot be limited without endangering those freedoms.
IFLA proclaims that the libraries and information profession of the world will respond to
these tragic events by redoubling our efforts to see free access to information and
freedom of expression worldwide.
Ends
Contacts:
Mr. Alex Byrne, Chair, IFLA Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of
Expression, Sydney, Australia. Tel: +61 2 9514 3332, Fax: + 61 2 9514 3331 Email:
alex.byrne@uts.edu.au
Ms Susanne Seidelin, Director, IFLA FAIFE Office, Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: +45 3258 6066
ext 532 4637 Fax: +45 Email: susanne.seidelin@ifla.org or sus@db.dk
International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions (IFLA)
Statement on Libraries
and Intellectual Freedom
Statement prepared by IFLA/FAIFE and approved by The Executive Board of IFLA 25 March
1999, The Hague, Netherlands.
Alarabia, Balgarski, Bangla, Bosanski, Cesky, Chaltibhasa, Dansk, Deutsch, Español, Farsi, Français, Hangul, Hrvatski, Íslenska, Italiano, Kartuli, Lietuviskai, Magyar, Nederlands, Nihongo, Norsk, Polski, Português, Russkij, Shqip, Srpski, Suomeksi, Svenska, Tagalog, Tamil, Türkçe, Viet, Zhongwen (simplified), Zhongwen (traditional)
IFLA (The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) supports,
defends and promotes intellectual freedom as defined in the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
IFLA declares that human beings have a fundamental right to access to expressions of
knowledge, creative thought and intellectual activity, and to express their views
publicly.
IFLA believes that the right to know and freedom of expression are two aspects of the same
principle. The right to know is a requirement for freedom of thought and conscience;
freedom of thought and freedom of expression are necessary conditions for freedom of
access to information.
IFLA asserts that a commitment to intellectual freedom is a core responsibility for the
library and information profession.
IFLA therefore calls upon libraries and library staff to adhere to the principles of
intellectual freedom, uninhibited access to information and freedom of expression and to
recognize the privacy of library user.
IFLA urges its members actively to promote the acceptance and realization of these
principles. In doing so, IFLA affirms that:
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