5. Recommendations

I

N light of the observations of
the emergence of new media
structures and audiences,
plus attendant consumption
patterns and habits, the

following recommendations are
preferred to both inform and
shape policy and programmatic
action.

Media actors (including civil society organisations and
development partners)
■
Policy advocacy on the
Universal Service Fund (USF)
to expand telecommunications
infrastructure to underserved
areas and improve network
quality (reducing the digital
divide) — the USF stands as
a
potential
game-changer
in opening up opportunities
presented by the burgeoning
digital media landscape.
■
Design capacity-building
programmes on digital literacy,
rights, and ethics for media
practitioners
and
citizen
journalists and increase support
for media diversity and plurality

in rural areas.
■
Media
organisations
must
develop
programmes
advocating for increased access
to information held by public
bodies.
This may include awareness
campaigns
to
both
rights
holders and duty bearers on
the provisions of the Freedom
of Information Act and the
importance
of
access
to
information for developmental
needs.
■

Media

organisations

need to consider developing
programmes to review laws
and regulations guiding the
operations of community radio
stations on content generation
and creation.
This would mean advocating
for laws and regulations that
promote the broadening and
liberalisation of content to
be broadcast by community
radios and providing capacity
assistance for them, especially
in terms of having the requisite
resources to be competitive in
the media landscape.

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Select target paragraph3