REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS, DISSEMINATION & PUBLICATIONS STRATEGY Regional Programme Goal Establishment of an efficient communications and dissemination system Regional Programme Objectives Facilitate proficient, effective and efficient communication in order to enhance MISA’s advocacy role PERFORMANCE INDICATORS REGIONAL OBJECTIVE MAJOR ACTIVITIES REMARK/COMMENTS (ACTUAL/ACHIEVED) 2. Production of newsletters/books 2.1 Compilation of articles contributed by Botswana: Two copies produced in 2003 • MISA’s (regional) quarterly FreePress • Regional MISA members on media freedom, Malawi: Only one newsletter was magazine was only published twice in • Malawi gender, HIV & AIDS as relates to produced due to logistical reasons 2003 as a result of staff turn-over at • South Africa the media for newsletters. South Africa: Bi-monthly newsletter being the secretariat and a lack of capacity. • Swaziland 2.2 Edit stories produced in electronic format T he first edition (April) took an in• Tanzania 2.3 Typeset & layout newsletter. Swaziland: 2 newsletters produced (500 depth look at Access to Information • Zimbabwe 2.4 Printer liaison. copies each) legislation in the region. The second 2.5 Distribution of newsletter to all Tanzania: 2 newsletters produced. edition focused on the deteriorating stakeholders. Zambia: With the assistance of SIDA and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. It NORAD MISA Zambia has continued to was decided that the frequency of the publish books for the media fraternity. magazine will be reduced from 4 to 3 These include: Struggle For Media Law in 2004. The MISA website has Reforms, which documents the struggle undergone extensive ‘restructuring’ for media reforms and suggests the way and as such does not provide a forward for media campaigns. reliable forum for online publishing. State of the Media in Zambia. This book • As an advocacy entity MISA Swaziland highlights the activities of the media in through the newsletter, Khulumani, Zambia from pre-colonial days to date. has been able to adequately address Sustainability of Independent media and gender issues. Newspapers, which tries to answer the • MISA South Africa decided it would many problems that are faced by the start by producing an electronic independent media tackling all aspects of fortnightly newsletter. It plans to their operation. produce a magazine-type newsletter in Issue based journalism: As the name the 2004/2005 year. suggests this book written by a renowned • MISA Zimbabwe only managed to print media trainer Edem Djokotoe urges one edition of the intended 3 editions journalists to be more focused in their of its newsletter because the Media reportage not only on the political front and Information Commission has since but other social, economic and other requested MISA-Zimbabwe to register spheres of society as a mass media service under AIPPA Zimbabwe: One edition of newsletter citing the newsletter and other produced publications from MISA Secretariat. The chapter is challenging the matter in court and has decided to suspend our newsletter. MISA Annual Report (April 2003 – March 2004) 102