Broadcasting diversity and ICTs The major thrust of MISA’s Campaign for Broadcasting Diversity and ICTs in the past year was to influence policy reform on public broadcasting and independent broadcasting regulation, as well as to provide support for community radio development. A key factor in entrenching democracy and good governance is the democratisation of state broadcasters, as they play a critical role in the dissemination of information during elections. The growth and sustainability of community broadcasting is vital to the democratic process, and community broadcasters provide a valuable voice for marginalised groups. Therefore, MISA chapters carried out various activities to promote broadcasting reform, with a particular focus on the transformation of state broadcasters into public broadcasters. Activities were also undertaken by the chapters to facilitate the licensing of community broadcasters. Capacity building was carried out in the form of training in good governance, management and programme production. The goal of these activities is to ensure that community radio broadcasters are sustainable, and this remains a major challenge. Broadcasting reform is an ongoing process and, while many interventions were carried out, a lot more still needs to be done especially in developing links between information and communication technologies (ICTs), convergence and broadcasting development in the region. Support for community radio development During the period under review, MISA Botswana facilitated the formation of a Community Broadcasting Association to promote the interests of community broadcasters in the country. The association aims to unite community radio aspirants, promote awareness of community radio and keep the topic on the national agenda. Government has yet to develop a policy and open up the airwaves to community radio. As part of developing community radio in the region, MISA Namibia assisted the southern Karas community to set up a community radio station. The Namibian chapter also sourced equipment from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the Ohangwena Community Radio Station in the far north. In Swaziland, the local MISA chapter helped four aspiring community radio stations to submit licence applications to the regulatory body in March. The chapter also conducted three-day management training courses for community radio stations to equip them with skills to manage a community radio station in anticipation of the government issuing them with licences. MISA Zambia helped to build the capacity of radio stations at operational and management levels through programme production, management and strategic planning, in addition to granting requested broadcast equipment. MISA Zambia conducted in-house production training workshops for 14 community radio stations. The training focused on documentary production and mainstreaming issues of gender and HIV and AIDS into programming. 24 Annual Report 2009