Broadcasting Diversity & ICTs

Programme Goal

To campaign for a three tier system of broadcasting (Public, Community and Private), underpinned by principles of editorial independence, diversity and regulation of legislation and promotion of ICT as a tool for national development and medium of sharing information and to advocate for the transformation of state broadcasters into genuine public service broadcasters

Situational analysis and challenges

The winds of change that have been blowing across Eastern Europe , Asia and the Americas have not spared the continent of Africa . And the ever changing scenarios in politics, socio-economics, cultures and technologies have continued to top many agendas of governments in Southern Africa .

With the advent of plural politics, promotion of market economies and embracing new technologies are forcing many states to look for alternatives to address national needs. The broadcasting sector has not been spared. In the last ten years, the region has witnessed many African governments attempting to liberalize their airwaves. Although there have been such moves to liberalize the air waves, mechanisms applied have been up-hazard to say the least. Some countries in the SADC region have enacted new laws too cumbersome to contemplate, resulting in major challenges for broadcasting reform activists.

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