(1) PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE USE BY STATES OF ARTIFICIAL
EARTH SATELLITES FOR INTERNATIONAL DIRECT TELEVISION BROADCASTING(Resolution
37/92 by UN General Assembly 37st Session, Adopted on December 10, 1982)
The
General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 2916 (XXVII) of 9 November 1972, in which it
stressed the necessity of elaborating principles governing the use by States of
artificial Earth satellites for international direct television broadcasting,
and mindful of the importance of concluding an international agreement or
agreements,
Recalling
further its resolutions 3182 (XXVIII) of 18
December 1973, 3234 (XXIX) of 12 November 1974, 3388 (XXX) of 18 November 1975,
31/8 of 8 November 1976, 32/196 of 20 December 1977, 33/16 of 10 November 1978,
34/66 of December 1979 and 35/14 of 3 November 1980, and its resolution 36/35
of 18 November 1981 in which it decided to consider at its thirty-seventh
session the adoption of a draft set of principles governing the use by States
of artificial Earth satellites for international direct television
broadcasting,
Noting
with appreciation the efforts made in the Committee
on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Legal Subcommittee to comply with
the directives issued in the above-mentioned resolutions,
Considering that several experiments of direct broadcasting by satellite have
been carried out and that a number of direct broadcasting satellite systems are
operational in some countries and may be commercialized in the very near
future,
Taking
into consideration that the operation of
international direct broadcasting satellites will have significant
international political, economic, social and cultural implications,
Believing that the establishment of principles for international direct
television broadcasting will contribute to the strengthening of international
cooperation in this field and further the purposes and principles of the
Charter of the United Nations,
Adopts the Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth
Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting set forth in the
annex to the present resolution.
Annex
Principles
Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites
for International Direct Television Broadcasting
A.
Purposes and objectives
1.
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Activities in the field of international
direct television broadcasting by satellite should be carried out in a manner
compatible with the sovereign rights of States, including the principle of
non-intervention, as well as with the right of everyone to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas as enshrined in the relevant United Nations
instruments.
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2.
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Such activities should promote the free
dissemination and mutual exchange of information and knowledge in cultural
and scientific fields, assist in educational, social and economic
development, particularly in the developing countries, enhance the qualities
of life of all peoples and provide recreation with due respect to the
political and cultural integrity of States.
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3.
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These activities should accordingly be
carried out in a manner compatible with the development of mutual
understanding and the strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation
among all States and peoples in the interest of maintaining international
peace and security.
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B. Applicability
of international law
4.
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Activities in the field of international
direct television broadcasting by satellite should be conducted in accordance
with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration
and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,1
of 27 January 1967, the relevant provisions of the International
Telecommunication Convention and its Radio Regulations and of international
instruments relating to friendly relations and cooperation among States and
to human rights.
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C.
Rights and benefits
5.
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Every State has an equal right to conduct
activities in the field of international direct television broadcasting by
satellite and to authorize such activities by persons and entities under its
jurisdiction. All States and peoples are entitled to and should enjoy the
benefits from such activities. Access to the technology in this field should
be available to all States without discrimination on terms mutually agreed by
all concerned.
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D.
International cooperation
6.
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Activities in the field of international
direct television broadcasting by satellite should be based upon and
encourage international cooperation. Such cooperation should be the subject
of appropriate arrangements. Special consideration should be given to the
needs of the developing countries in the use of international direct
television broadcasting by satellite for the purpose of accelerating their
national development.
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E.
Peaceful settlement of disputes
7.
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Any international dispute that may arise
from activities covered by these principles should be settled through
established procedures for the peaceful settlement of disputes agreed upon by
the parties to the dispute in accordance with the provisions of the Charter
of the United Nations.
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F.
State responsibility
8.
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States should bear international
responsibility for activities in the field of international direct television
broadcasting by satellite carried out by them or under their jurisdiction and
for the conformity of any such activities with the principles set forth in
this document.
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9.
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When international direct television
broadcasting by satellite is carried out by an international
intergovernmental organization, the responsibility referred to in paragraph 8
above should be borne both by that organization and by the States participating
in it.
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G.
Duty and right to consult
10.
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Any broadcasting or receiving State within
an international direct television broadcasting satellite service established
between them requested to do so by any other broadcasting or receiving State
within the same service should promptly enter into consultations with the
requesting State regarding its activities in the field of international
direct television broadcasting by satellite, without prejudice to other
consultations which these States may undertake with any other State on that
subject.
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H.
Copyright and neighbouring rights
11.
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Without prejudice to the relevant provisions
of international law, States should cooperate on a bilateral and multilateral
basis for protection of copyright and neighbouring rights by means of
appropriate agreements between the interested States or the competent legal
entities acting under their jurisdiction. In such cooperation they should
give special consideration to the interests of developing countries in the
use of direct television broadcasting for the purpose of accelerating their
national development.
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I.
Notification to the United Nations
12.
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In order to promote international
cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, States
conducting or authorizing activities in the field of international direct television
broadcasting by satellite should inform the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, to the greatest extent possible, of the nature of such activities.
On receiving this information, the Secretary-General should disseminate it
immediately and effectively to the relevant specialized agencies, as well as
to the public and the international scientific community.
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J.
Consultations and agreements between States
13.
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A State which intends to establish or
authorize the establishment of an international direct television
broadcasting satellite service shall without delay notify the proposed
receiving State or States of such intention and shall promptly enter into
consultation with any of those States which so requests.
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14.
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An international direct television
broadcasting satellite service shall only be established after the conditions
set forth in paragraph 13 above have been met and on the basis of agreements
and/or arrangements in conformity with the relevant instruments of the
International Telecommunication Union and in accordance with these
principles.
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15.
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With respect to the unavoidable overspill of
the radiation of the satellite signal, the relevant instruments of the
International Telecommunication Union shall be exclusively applicable.
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