73 SOUTHERN AFRICA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2019-2020 the expression and disclosure of information, including with respect to the sanctions authorised. PART II: RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Principle 10. Guarantee of freedom of expression Freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or through any other form of communication or medium, including across frontiers, is a fundamental and inalienable human right and an indispensable component of democracy. Principle 11. Media diversity and pluralism 1. State or private monopoly over print, broadcast and online media is not compatible with the right to freedom of expression. 2. State and government-controlled broadcasters shall be transformed into public service broadcasters, accountable to the public through the legislature or other mechanism for public accountability. 3. States shall take positive measures to promote a diverse and pluralistic media, which shall facilitate: a. the promotion of free flow of information and ideas; b. access to media and other means of communication, including by marginalised groups, linguistic and cultural minorities; c. access to non-discriminatory and nonstereotyped information; d. access to the media by poor and rural communities, including by subsidising household costs associated with digital migration; e. The promotion of transparency and diversity in media ownership; f. The promotion of local and African languages, content and voices; and g. The promotion of the use of local languages in public affairs, including by the executive, legislature and the judiciary. Principle 12. Media independence 1. States shall guarantee the right to establish various forms of independent media, including print, broadcast and online media. 2. Any registration system for media shall be for administrative purposes only, and shall not impose excessive fees or other restrictions on the media. 3. States shall develop regulatory environments that encourage media owners and media practitioners to reach agreements to guarantee editorial independence and to prevent commercial and other considerations from influencing media content. Principle 13. Public service media 1. States shall establish public service media governed by a transparently constituted and diverse board adequately protected against undue interference of a political, commercial or other nature. 2. The senior management of public service media shall be appointed by and accountable to the board. 3. The editorial independence of public service media shall be guaranteed. 4. Public service media shall be adequately funded in a manner that protects them from undue interference. 5. Public service broadcasters shall ensure that their transmission systems cover the whole territory of the State. 6. The public service ambit of public broadcasters shall be clearly defined and include an obligation to ensure that the public receive adequate and politically balanced information, particularly during election periods. Principle 14. Private media 1. States shall promote a diverse private media as vehicles for the development and dissemination of a variety of content in the public interest. 2. States shall encourage broadcast, print and online media to publicly disclose all forms of media ownership and any subsequent acquisitions or change in ownership. 3. States shall establish an independent regulatory body to issue broadcasting licenses and to oversee the observance of license conditions. 4. States shall ensure that licensing processes for private media are fair and transparent, and promote diversity in broadcasting by: a. mandating full public disclosure of all forms of media ownership and any subsequent acquisitions or change of ownership; and b. taking preventive measures against the undue concentration of private broadcasting ownership, including through non-award of licenses and non-approval of subsequent acquisitions or change of ownership. 5. States shall ensure that the process of frequency allocation for private broadcasting use is fair and transparent. 6. States shall ensure that the process for the acquisition of broadcasting rights imposes such conditions as are necessary for ensuring diversity in the private broadcasting sector. 7. States shall encourage private broadcasting services to promote interoperability of platforms and facilities.