6.1

Progamme Objectives

uring – and shortly before - the current period under review, MISA’s regional secretariat
had developed critical materials and guidelines to support the hand-over of the
broadcasting campaign to national chapters. Through producing the Advocacy Kit and
‘Open the Waves’ campaign pack the secretariat ensured that national chapters are able to
knowledgably embark on intense advocacy and lobbying for supportive and conducive
broadcasting environments in their countries.

D

Under its broadcasting programme MISA runs the 'Campaign for Broadcasting Diversity' which
encourages an open system of broadcast licensing, editorial independence and the introduction of
a three-tier system of broadcasting. This system comprises public, commercial and community
broadcasters, which as a whole can provide services that assist in the development and
maintenance of democracy.
In line with the aims of the Windhoek Declaration and African Broadcasting Charter, the central
theme of the campaign is advocacy for legislation and policies that will:
• Establish independent broadcasting licensing bodies;
• Create an enabling environment for the public, private and community broadcasting
sectors;
• Safeguard editorial independence in broadcasting;
• Advance alternative and sustainable systems for public and community broadcasting;
• Build capacity to produce locally relevant and impartial news and current affairs;
• Place restrictions on cross media ownership, political ownership and monopolistic
practices;
• Establish public broadcasters that are distinctively "African", clear and intelligent
alternatives to commercial broadcasting and committed to quality, innovation and public
interest; and
• Promote and develop community broadcasters that are an empowering tool for their
community - whether it is ethnic, linguistic or simply poor.
• Co-operate with regional partners to develop a joint campaign on satellite broadcasting
regulation
Whilst in 2003 MISA had stepped up its advocacy work in the area of broadcasting reform, it
must be noted that this was being undertaken in a region where there is very little political will
from governments to disengage from control of national broadcasters.
Organisationally, MISA has also undergone many changes in this period. The new Programme
Manager: Broadcasting joined the organisation in September 2003, following the departure of the
previous manager at the end of June 2003. This staff change has had a dramatic impact on the
programme and consequently resulted in a number of planned activities not being implemented.

6.2

Production of toolkit for community radio stations

MISA hosted a workshop in Lusaka, Zambia, between October 30 and November 1 2003, which
brought together representatives from community radio station in the region. The profile of
participants ranged from radio station managers to persons with long experience in community

MISA Annual Report (April 2003 – March 2004)

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