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 **   *****   *****     ***        PRESS RELEASE
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International Freedom of Expression eXchange Clearing House
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Date: 10 March 1995

AFRICA: African broadcasting -- tapping the democratic potential;
ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship to release report

ORIGINATOR: ARTICLE 19, London

On 27 March 1995, ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship publish "Who
Rules the Airwaves?: Broadcasting in Africa". As African politics
is transformed by a spate of multi-party elections, the report
examines the role of broadcasting during and after the process of
political transition.

ARTICLE 19's Executive Director, Frances D'Souza, comments: "The
power of radio is immense. Governments struggle to retain control
of that power. For real democracy to take root in Africa,
government stations must be transformed into editorially
independent, public service broadcasters."

The report discusses broadcasting operations in nine African
countries, and concludes that private broadcasting, while
necessary and valuable, cannot meet the information needs of the
whole population. An informed public is crucial to participatory
democracy.

The report's recommendations for measures to protect and promote
broadcasting freedom should set the terms for debate on this key
topic for years to come. The report calls for:
-Statutory guarantees of editorial independence.
-Safeguards to prevent government interference with broadcasting
 budgets.
-The non-discriminatory allocation of broadcast licences.
-Measures to limit media concentration.
-Fair access of all political parties to the broadcast media
during   elections.
-Independent mechanisms to respond to complaints about
 broadcasting.

Within this framework, the report presents lively anecdotes and
much other information about the current state of broadcasting in
Africa. According to ARTICLE 19, this is the latest news about
the news: a snapshot of the politics, the issues and the finances
which control broadcasting in Africa. "Who Rules the Airwaves?"
is an indispensable starting point for everyone concerned about
the future of mass communication in Africa.

For further information, please contact: Catherine Drucker,
Campaigns Co-ordinator for ARTICLE 19 at tel: +44 171 713 1357,
fax: +44 171 713 1356, or e-mail: article19@gn.apc.org.
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