CCPR/C/GC/34 right whereby the media may receive information on the basis of which it can carry out its function. 29 The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens, candidates and elected representatives is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion. 30 The public also has a corresponding right to receive media output.31 14. As a means to protect the rights of media users, including members of ethnic and linguistic minorities, to receive a wide range of information and ideas, States parties should take particular care to encourage an independent and diverse media. 15. States parties should take account of the extent to which developments in information and communication technologies, such as internet and mobile based electronic information dissemination systems, have substantially changed communication practices around the world. There is now a global network for exchanging ideas and opinions that does not necessarily rely on the traditional mass media intermediaries. States parties should take all necessary steps to foster the independence of these new media and to ensure access of individuals thereto. 16. States parties should ensure that public broadcasting services operate in an independent manner. 32 In this regard, States parties should guarantee their independence and editorial freedom. They should provide funding in a manner that does not undermine their independence. 17. Issues concerning the media are discussed further in the section of this general comment that addresses restrictions on freedom of expression. Right of access to information 18. Article 19, paragraph 2 embraces a right of access to information held by public bodies. Such information includes records held by a public body, regardless of the form in which the information is stored, its source and the date of production. Public bodies are as indicated in paragraph 7 of this general comment. The designation of such bodies may also include other entities when such entities are carrying out public functions. As has already been noted, taken together with article 25 of the Covenant, the right of access to information includes a right whereby the media has access to information on public affairs 33 and the right of the general public to receive media output. 34 Elements of the right of access to information are also addressed elsewhere in the Covenant. As the Committee observed in its general comment No. 16, regarding article 17 of the Covenant, every individual should have the right to ascertain in an intelligible form, whether, and if so, what personal data is stored in automatic data files, and for what purposes. Every individual should also be able to ascertain which public authorities or private individuals or bodies control or may control his or her files. If such files contain incorrect personal data or have been collected or processed contrary to the provisions of the law, every individual should have the right to have his or her records rectified. Pursuant to article 10 of the Covenant, a prisoner does not 29 30 31 32 33 34 4 See communication No. 633/95, Gauthier v. Canada. See the Committee’s general comment No. 25 (1996) on article 25 (Participation in public affairs and the right to vote), para. 25, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-first Session, Supplement No. 40, vol. I (A/51/40 (Vol. I)), annex V. See communication No. 1334/2004, Mavlonov and Sa’di v. Uzbekistan. Concluding observations on Republic of Moldova (CCPR/CO/75/MDA). See communication No. 633/95, Gauthier v. Canada. See communication No. 1334/2004, Mavlonov and Sa’di v. Uzbekistan.