Training for Francophone West African Broadcasting Regulators

Senegal: Training for Francophone West African Broadcasting Regulators

West African Broadcasting Regulators recently assembled in Dakar, Senegal for a training workshop on improving Broadcasting Policy and Regulation in the francophone zone. The training was organized by ARTICLE 19 with the Panos Institute for West Africa (PIWA), and the Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of Senegal (CNRA) from 3-6 November 2008.

The four-day workshop provided the context for a comprehensive discussion of issues, including the enabling environment for pluralistic and diverse broadcasting; application of international freedom of expression standards in West Africa; the independence and credibility of regulatory bodies to disseminate diverse information and programme content; and the challenges posed by new information and communication technologies. “The workshop enabled us to assess and reflect on the enormous challenges facing the broadcasting regulatory systems in West Africa,” said Dr Agnès Callamard, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19. “This is prime time for authorities to take courageous and resolute measures to ensure that the regulatory systems are independent, effective and serve the public interest,” added Callamard. The workshop was based on ARTICLE 19’s Training Manual for African Regulators (published in 2006). ARTICLE 19 sought and received feedback on the utility of its newly released French pilot version of the Manual (August 2008). Comments from workshop on the course texts will be incorporated in later revisions of the French Manual. The training brought together an impressive group of 30 participants including representatives of the nine regulatory authorities in francophone West Africa, representatives of the French Broadcasting Regulator (CSA), regional experts, academics and journalism schools.According to one of the participants, “this workshop was an eye opener and the Manual is one of the best resources we have seen in the region; it addresses thoroughly all the critical regulatory issues we encounter on a regular basis.”
The recommendations are available at: http://www.article19.org/pdfs/publications/senegal-recommandations-de-toubab-dialaw-senegal-sur-la-regulation-de-l-audi.pdf
NOTES TO EDITORS:
• For more information read the recommendations in French at: http://www.article19.org/pdfs/tools/broadcasting-manual-french.pdf •
For more information: please contact Fatou Jagne- Senghore, Africa Programme Officer, jagnefatou@article19.org or africa@article19.org. Tel: +221 338 200 337