CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANT THEMES 2015 AMB This AMB noted positive developments in opening the democratic space, for example, the licensing of 17 community radio stations distributed across the country’s political zones following years of advocacy by civil society, the explosion of social media and online journalism, and an increase in internet radio stations. Negative developments included the country’s failure to meet the deadline for digital migration, the passing of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (2015), and the ineffectiveness of the country’s broadcasting regulatory functionaries. Recommendations included advocacy for better-funded public media, removal of taxes on newspaper inputs through the implementation of the Florence Convention, promoting locally produced newsprint, developing a comprehensive ICT policy with a clear vision and direction, and creating a self-regulatory body for the media. 2019 AMB The positive developments highlighted in this AMB included the expansion of open civic space through the proliferation of the media, adoption of the Freedom of Information Act in 2011, the expansion of the broadcasting sector and the impact of digitalisation in stimulating an entrepreneurial spirit in the media industry. Negative developments included a lack of adequate reporting of corruption in the public and private sectors, corruption in the media due to economic conditions, social divisions in the media, restriction of media freedom by the state, and the concern that several proposed Bills would overregulate the media. Recommendations included reformation of the broadcasting law and independence of the public broadcaster; harmonising policy for the media and communication sectors; promoting the independence of regulatory bodies; improving journalism’s verification mechanisms; building sustainable economic models for the media; updating the code of ethics; and training and advocacy on gender, human rights and people living with disabilities. Republic of Congo 2013 AMB Positive developments in this AMB included the elimination of imprisonment for media offences, which was replaced with fines, and the relocation of the public broadcaster to a more comfortable and better-equipped building. The AMB also acknowledged that collective bargaining in 2009 had improved journalists’ working conditions. Negative developments included observations that media freedom had 37 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER 11 YEARS IN REVIEW