Would a Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Content and Artistic Expression restrict the movement of cultural products between countries?
One of the objectives of the Convention is to reaffirm the right of states to maintain or adopt appropriate measures for the development of cultural expression and the promotion of cultural diversity, while also complying with their international obligations. Since it is generally understood that it is legitimate for states to maintain the social benefits afforded by cultural goods and services that are not taken into account by the market, the dual nature of these goods and services, which generate economic and social prosperity and contribute to democracy and identity, and must then be considered by governments in developing their public policies. Nevertheless, we must recall that cultural diversity entails a spirit of free competition and not protectionism, and that measures supporting the diversification of national cultural products are not intended to create “state cultures.” Any cultural policy aims, in principle, to promote the development of national cultural expressions and t
