--- ECHO_content/ECHO_collection.py	2008/01/16 16:10:14	1.293
+++ ECHO_content/ECHO_collection.py	2008/02/04 18:49:13	1.294
@@ -1386,10 +1386,7 @@ class ECHO_resource(CatalogAware,Folder,
                    
                    ret= self.metaDataHash.get(fieldNameTest,empty)
                
-            if type(ret) is StringType:
-               return ret.decode('utf-8')
-            else:
-               return ret
+            return unicodify(ret)
 
     getFieldValue=getMDValue #depricated