Maravi

MISA reaffirms self-regulation in media

MISA reaffirms self-regulation in media
By Agness Changala
Monday September 08, 2008 [04:00]

MISA has reaffirmed the belief that self regulation in the media remains the best form of regulation as it protects both the interests of the citizens while protecting media rights. And Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has condemned the abuse of regulatory powers to protect the powerful in society.

According to resolutions passed at the MISA annual general meeting, which was held in Pretoria, South Africa between August 30 and September 1, the delegates urged the regional secretariat to continue working with other MISA national chapters in strengthening self regulatory structures and creating such structures where they are non-existent in all countries in which the organisation operates.

“We are concerned about the existence of statutory media regulation in Zimbabwe and threats to impose such systems in Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, South Africa and Tanzania against the interests of the media,” they stated.
The delegates also expressed their deep concern over the continued deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe especially the continued harassment, beatings and arrests of journalists and ordinary Zimbabweans.

“We further raise our concern that the political dialogue in Zimbabwe is being held in secrecy and civic society views have not been taken into account,” they stated. “We mandate MISA regional office and MISA Zimbabwe to work closely in developing alternative policies and advocacy strategies especially taking note of the shift in the balance of power in the Zimbabwe Parliament.”

The members also expressed concern over the regression of the observance and respect for media and freedom of expression rights in South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana.
They further revealed that the three countries, once seen as the beacons of democracy in the region, were in the process of enacting repressive media and freedom of expression laws that negatively impacted on the free operations of the media.

“We therefore call upon the governments of the three countries to drop the proposed media laws and consult the media on any future media policies. We hold that the Proposed Protection of Information Law in South Africa impinges on media rights,” the delegates stated.
And MISA called on the government of Lesotho to recede its suspension of the broadcasting licence of Harvest FM.

“This suspension, on the basis of allegations made by powerful individuals, is best dealt with through civil courts and not the broadcasting regulator. MISA condemns the abuse of regulatory powers to protect the powerful in society,” they stated.
The members stated that MISA and MISA Lesotho must start consultations and work with broadcasters on developing independent broadcasting mediation councils along the lines of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) of South Africa.
They believed that this would address genuine concerns around unethical media reporting while protecting the rights of the broadcasting stations.

“South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique will be conducting elections in 2008 and 2009. We therefore call upon governments in these countries to uphold the SADC Electoral Guidelines as a whole, but in particular a fair access to public media coverage,” they stated.
The members also stated that they would follow with interest the constitutional processes in Swaziland and Zambia on the opportunities presented to engage the government on further reforms.

“We urge MISA, MISA Swaziland and MISA Zambia to work closely and monitor the implementation of the new constitutional processes to ensure that media and freedom of expression and association rights are incorporated and implemented in the Bill of Rights,” stated the members.

Labels: MEDIA, MISA, REGULATION

posted by MrK @ 3:42 AM