Twenty years after the Windhoek Declaration on press freedom

In addition, MISA has managed to
contribute to <strong>the</strong> improvement of
media standards through excellence
in journalism, through media awards
and selective training programmes,
like election reporting, based
on <strong>the</strong> assessed needs of media
practitioners. In 2011, we initiated
<strong>the</strong> prestigious annual John Oliver
Manyarara Lecture – named <strong>after</strong>
<strong>the</strong> late Zimbabwean judge who
worked tirelessly for press freedom
in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa. The lecture this
year was delivered by <strong>the</strong> respected
Botswana intellectual, Prof Bojosi
Otlhogile.
MISA has also been able to promote
and achieve <strong>the</strong> establishment of
self-regulation mechanisms as <strong>the</strong>
preferred option to statutory councils
favoured by governments.
In <strong>the</strong> “Open <strong>the</strong> Waves” campaign,
MISA has done a lot to
contribute to <strong>the</strong> body of advocacy
materials on broadcasting.
The organisation has been very
influential in <strong>the</strong> implementation
of <strong>the</strong> African Charter on Broadcasting
(ACB), adopted in <strong>Windhoek</strong>
in 2001. Along with <strong>the</strong> 1991
<strong>Windhoek</strong> <strong>Declaration</strong>, <strong>the</strong> ACB’s
provisions have been incorporated
in <strong>the</strong> document agreed by <strong>the</strong> African
Commission of Human and
Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in 2002,
titled <strong>the</strong> “<strong>Declaration</strong> on Freedom
of Expression in Africa”.
MISA remains involved with campaigns
for broadcasting diversity
and editorial independence, and for
<strong>the</strong> transformation of state broadcasters
into genuine public service
broadcasters. Some success can
be claimed in Zambia where MISA
helped to bring into existence <strong>the</strong>
Independent Broadcasting Authority
and <strong>the</strong> amendment of <strong>the</strong> Zambia
National Broadcasting Corporation
Act.
This success resulted in a legal footing
being established for <strong>the</strong> transformation
of <strong>the</strong> country’s national
broadcaster into a public service
one, although much still needs to be
done in implementing <strong>the</strong> spirit of
<strong>the</strong>se laws. The overall achievement,
however, has encouraged o<strong>the</strong>r
MISA National Chapters to engage
<strong>the</strong>ir legislatures over transformation
of <strong>the</strong>ir national broadcasters
in terms of <strong>the</strong> ACHPR declaration.
The Access to Information campaign
that is now on <strong>the</strong> map is a key tool
to enhance transparency and citizen
participation in government, judicial
and legislative issues. In this activity,
MISA aspires to work toge<strong>the</strong>r with
all concurring organisations and
individuals to continue nurturing
democracy and human rights in
Africa.
Media in Africa - 2011 | 9