CASE STUDIES Introduction Other SADC member States have already taken steps to bring policy and legislation in line with the SADC Protocol, and AC and ICT Declarations. The following is a summary of best practice in SADC that relates to some of the areas highlighted in this study. Botswana Broadcasting Policy “Broadcasting can bridge distances in space, time and knowledge itself. Radio can stimulate discussion among the people and assist in the process democracy. People from one end of Botswana to the other can hear the opinions of their fellow countrymen, drawing us together as a nation.” Sir Seretse Khama, first President of 14 Botswana . Botswana is in the process of adopting a broadcasting policy that “outlines the path towards a 15 new broadcasting system in Botswana” . A draft policy has been developed through an extensive and transparent consultation process that involved a broad cross section of stakeholders, including players in the broadcasting and media industry, as well as interested 16 citizens in general . The draft policy spells out a new vision for broadcasting in Botswana 17 guided by the principles of democracy, development, self-reliance and unity . The policy stems from a realisation that media had become concentrated in the hands of two 18 conglomerates – the government and a private company – contrary to the legal obligation of the broadcasting regulator (National Broadcasting Board – NBB) to “ensure the widest 19 possible diversity of programming and optimal utilisation of the spectrum resources” . Once passed, the policy, will direct the work of the NBB in regulating the broadcasting sector. The policy reflects many of the provisions of the SADC Protocol, and AC and ICT Declarations. It recognises the three tiers of broadcasting (public, private and community), and deals with each tier in detail, defining the mandate for each before addressing their objectives, licensing criteria, responsibilities, as well as issues such as language diversity, funding, professional standards, local content and election coverage. The draft policy further defines “public interest values” that should guide “responsible broadcasting policy”, these 20 being : • • • • • • Universal access to broadcasting services for all citizens Diversity of choices for audiences Equality and equity for new entrants into the broadcasting market Balance of opinion and fairness Citizen empowerment Promotion of economic growth The draft policy recognises the distinct role community broadcasting can play, and how this role is distinct from the other two tiers. The policy goes on to address signal distribution, satellite and digital conversion (including satellite broadcasting and the Internet), cross-media ownership and control, and the promotion of skills and local production. The policy explores 14 National Broadcasting Policy – Draft November 2003, p6 Ibid, p5. 16 Ibid, p6-7 17 Ibid p11. 18 Ibid p11. 19 Botswana Broadcasting Act, 1998, Section 10.1.c 20 National Broadcasting Policy – Draft November 2003, p13 15 Namibia Media Law Audit – report final draft 39