The policy draft proposes that private broadcasting services offer unbiased, independent and comprehensive news and current affairs programming. It also contains proposals for introducing community broadcasting services, defining community as geographically-founded or a community of interest.
The draft bill further proposes that broadcasters be accountable to the community they serve through organised structures ensuring community control, and to offer community-driven programming.
Modise Maphanyane, national director of the Botswana-based Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), welcomed the bill, noting that Botswana is the only country without community broadcasting services in southern Africa.
Sources:
IRIN. (2006). Botswana: New Bill puts community broadcasting on air. Retrieved 22 Aug. 2006 from http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55227&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=BOTSWANA.
Broadcasting Reforms: Time to Act Now! Retrieved September 12, 2006 from <http://www.misa.org/broadcasting/resource-otw/Swaziland%20Resolutions%20on%20broadcasting%20reform.doc>
COMMUNITY RADIO FOR DEVELOPMENT
Community broadcasting is about communication, community empowerment, access to the airwaves, human rights, education, heritage, development of culture, indigenous language development, and the voice of the people of South Africa, says Lumko Mtimde, Councillor of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa at the AMARC 8 Conference on Community Radio and the Information Society held in Kathmandu in February 2003. However, Mtimde noted, community radio broadcasting still has to grow, to recognise its strengths and weaknesses, to reach sustainability and to build capacity.
Community development through information, education and entertainment is community radios aim. Community broadcasters should:
Keep the community informed and revive, retain and sustain cultural heritage, traditions and norms
Empower the community by sharing skills and providing training
Operate an effective and sustainable community radio that will champion health care and other development and social goals
Act as a mediator between government, organs of civil society and the people
Convey information and education about development related issues like water and sanitation, rural development, housing, health, how the local government works, legal issues, etc.
Aid in nation building by restoring pride and dignity to impoverished communities
Develop local content by sourcing local talent through cultural festivals and local programming productions
Community radio empowers the community to be champions of their own democratic rights and to get involved in their own development in order to push the frontiers of poverty.
Community participation is a process, not an isolated occasion or event where people get together to hear and discuss a particular idea or proposal. It is an ongoing interaction between the broadcast station and
the community. The station becomes the real voice of the community and prioritises the needs, wants, and concerns relevant to the community.
Participatory broadcasting helps to develop self-reliance and frees people from dependency. People in the community are empowered in the ability to debate issues and are part of decision-making in community matters. They eventually start thinking differently, instead of thinking about what the government can do for them; they begin to think about how they can develop their community through their contribution to the station.
Source:
Mtimde, Lumko (2003). Community radio and Information Society: Role of community broadcasting in community development. Retrieved, September 12, 2006 <http://www.ourmedianet.org/members/Mtimde/AAtimde_/CASAAmarc8.rtf>
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