REGIONAL: CAMPAIGN FOR BROADCASTING DIVERSITY Regional Programme Goal Policy-makers, public opinion, partners, public service and community broadcasters in Southern Africa influenced regarding the need for an open three-tier system of broadcast licensing comprising public, commercial and community broadcasters and underpinned by the principles of editorial independence, diversity, and independent regulation • • • • Promotion of freedom of expression through condensed broadcast and telecommunication updates Encourage the establishment of centres and distribution for African films in Namibia Regional Programme Create awareness and campaign for the transformation of state controlled broadcasters into public service broadcasters Objectives Improve reporting skills and professionalism of state journalists in terms of elections coverage PERFORMANCE INDICATORS REGIONAL OBJECTIVE MAJOR ACTIVITIES REMARK/COMMENTS (ACTUAL/ACHIEVED) 3. Production of Broadcasting and 3.1 Reviewing newspapers, journals and • The Broadcasting Update is being The monthly Broadcasting Update is an Telecommunication updates for release other published materials on circulated as planned. important information tool on via MISA mailing lists broadcasting and telecommunications and broadcasting. It telecommunications also provides MISA with a platform to 3.2 Online research for the latest advance its broadcasting campaigns. information on broadcasting and A column to be called Hot Pot will be telecommunications activities introduced through which some topics 3.3 Compilation and dissemination of shall be analysed critically. condensed electronic broadcasting MISA receives feedback from a cross update section of people especially those engaged in research. MISA recently conducted a survey which should assist to make this service more relevant to its readers. 4. To improve reporting skills and professionalism of state-employed broadcast journalists to cover presidential and parliamentary elections • Botswana • Malawi • Mozambique • South Africa 4.1 Identifying potential partners, e.g. SABA; 4.2 Consulting SABA on how to approach national broadcasters 4.3 Hold workshop for participants selected national broadcasters on SADC Elections Broadcasting Code of Conduct. 4.4 Selected workshop resource persons MISA Annual Report (April 2003 – March 2004) • • • SABA consulted Workshop held in Johannesburg, South Africa Workshop report available 69 Journalists working fo r National Broadcasters in the region are always suspicious of what MISA is doing. However soon after the workshop had started they opened up and started discussing issues freely. It is regrettable that NBC nominees decided to withdraw their participation at the last minute.