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Uganda Tom Gawaya-Tegulle, the New Vision, Kampala I. Media and Politics: The Role of the Media in Promoting Democracy and Good Governance 21–23 September 1999 Safari Court Hotel Windhoek, Namibia Programme Tuesday 21 September 1999 08:30–10:00 Welcoming Remarks Theunis Keulder, Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID), Namibia Opening Remarks Michael Schlicht, Regional Representative, Central and Southern Africa, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) Official Opening Address Ben Amathila, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Namibia 10:30–13:15 COUNTRY POSITION PAPERS Obstacles and Challenges Facing the Media in: • Kenya Henry Owuor, Nation Newspapers, Nairobi • Malawi Peter Kumwenda, Editor, The Champion, Lilongwe • South Africa Xolisa Vapi, Political Reporter, The Independent on Saturday, Durban • Tanzania Matilda Kasanga, The Guardian Limited, Dar-es-Salaam • Uganda Tom Gawaya-Tegulle, The New Vision, Kampala • Zambia Masautso Phiri, Zambia Independent Media Association, Lusaka • Zimbabwe Davison S. Maruziva, The Daily News, Harare 14:15–16:30 Plenary 69 Programme Wednesday 22 September 1999 09:00–10:00 The Media and Ethics Pushpa A. Jamieson, The Chronicle, Lilongwe, Malawi 10:30–12:45 Plenary 14:00–15:00 The Media and Elections Raymond Louw, Editor and Publisher, Southern Africa Report 15:00– Plenary Thursday 23 September 1999 09:00–10:00 Investigative Journalism: the Police Perspective Martin S. Simbi, Principal, Police Staff College, Zimbabwe Republic Police 10:30–12:45 Plenary 14:00–14:30 Evaluation and closing 70 Introduction This publication is a result of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s (KAF’s) governing principle of estab- lishing and strengthening democratic institutions, values and processes, and providing effective civic education to countries in Africa. The publication is a compilation of papers presented at two conferences for journalists held in Windhoek, Namibia and Durban, South Africa. The Windhoek conference was funded by KAF’s Harare office and the countries represented at this regional conference were Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The Durban conference, which was a national conference involving only South African journalists, was funded by KAF’s Johannesburg office. The Foundation believes that for the media fraternity in the region to be strong and viable, journalists must be afforded the opportunity to network among themselves in their countries, as well as with other journalists in the region. KAF realises that through such interactions and the sharing of ideas and expe- riences, journalists will become major actors in the democratic process. KAF further believes that readers both within and outside the journalism fraternity will find this publi- cation a useful source of information. The contributions on specific topics will go a long way towards enhancing the expertise of our journalists and those who work closely with them, such as the police and the judiciary. In order to provide a legal perspective, we have included the statutes of the Republic of South Africa – Radio: Independent Media Commission Act No. 148 of 1993 and the Press Laws of the Federal Rep- ublic of Germany. KAF would like to thank all the presenters for their worthwhile contributions, which have led to the production of this seminar report. 5 Opening Remarks Michael Schlicht INTRODUCTION government or to the president, but is paid for On behalf of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, by the taxpayer. On the other hand, it is not the I would like to welcome you here. I would also sole role of the independent media to criticise like to thank the Namibia Institute for Demo- the government. In my opinion both parts of cracy, especially Theunis Keulder, for helping the media should aim at benefiting the country to organise this event. as a whole through balanced reporting – i.e., Representatives of the independent media reporting both the good and the bad. fraternity who stand for a pluralist forming of public opinion have been invited to this confer- 2. JOURNALISTS AS AGENDA SETTERS ence. In some of the countries from which you It is often the understanding that the media has come, this is not an easy task as support of only to confront traditional problems such as under- one opinion is expected. We are gathered here development, unemployment, Aids, gender today to exchange views on how one can issues, environmental issues, ethnic rivalry and strengthen and perform this role in a balanced the distribution of wealth. These types of issues manner, especially by highlighting the chances are often believed to be of paramount impor- and risks of the political processes in the vari- tance, while the building of democratic struc- ous countries represented here today. I am sure tures and the participation of the population in you all agree with me that the media play an decision-making processes is often seen as important role in bringing about positive demo- being insignificant. This is a fundamental mis- cratic change in society. It is important for the conception. It is important to note that econom- media to find its way and to decide what it ic development without political and individual seeks to deliver to its audience. freedom is impossible. More than a critical observer, a journalist will have to be an agen- 1. BALANCED REPORTING REQUIRED da-setter for his/her people, harnessing their I recently saw a cartoon in one of Zimbabwe’s freedom both politically and economically. In independent newspapers which showed the so doing the journalist will help his/her people elite of a country looting state funds. The inde- to take control of their destiny in an enlight- pendent press sees and exposes this looting ened way. while the state media is shown lying down with Democracy is therefore vital, and equally its eyes covered. vital is the journalist’s participation in its pro- I do not like what this cartoon is saying, motion. After all, the various countries from especially the contrast between the state-owned which you come are party to a series of interna- media and the independent media. It suggests tional agreements that envisage the enforce- that it is the role of the state-owned media to ment of democracy and the preservation of see and report only those cases that bring praise human rights. The United Nations Universal to government. This is by all accounts wrong as Declaration on Human Rights of 1948, Article the state-owned media does not belong to the 19 provides that: 9 Schlicht “Everyone has the right to freedom of opin- details on the war in the Democratic Republic ion and expression, the right includes free- of Congo. I am sure that other unfortunate cases dom to hold opinions without interference exist in a number of countries in this region. Do and to seek, receive and impart information not let such cases discourage you. Instead, they and ideas through any media regardless of should vindicate you. Such examples should frontiers.” make you better journalists. To avoid similar impediments in the daily life 3. INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIVE of a journalist requires not only courage but The wave of democratic reform in the region also professionalism and networking. Some has surely impacted on journalists. It is now journalists think that good journalism is paint- seen as crucial that journalists promote democ- ing gloomy pictures with dramatic headlines on racy because the ruler and the ruled will have to every issue a government undertakes. This is learn to live with democratic principles, some not wise. One should of course report on the of which may seem foreign. bad state of affairs and the truth should not be The role of the media in these circumstances withheld, especially when government acts will have to be more informative and educative; against its promises and against the laws and that is, performing an educational role for both international agreements it has signed. the rulers and the ruled. This puts new chal- Journalists should be balanced; the good and lenges on professional and responsible journal- the bad deeds of government should be reported ism. with equal vigour and zest. 4. OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES CONCLUSION The fact that a broad range of countries is rep- I know it is sometimes not easy to be sober in resented here shows that a certain amount of the midst of hardship. We are here to discuss pluralism in these countries is attainable, albeit these issues and to leave rejuvenated and ready with some problems. I am sure these issues will to face the challenges back home. be discussed at this conference, and that, in the The Konrad Adenauer Foundation supports end, we would have learned from each other’s similar discussions in many countries through- experiences. out the world. It supports talks on good gover- Earlier this year Zimbabwe hit the headlines nance, democratic power sharing, independent for violating press freedom, by arresting and press and the participation of the population in allegedly torturing two journalists who had political decision making. In this sense I am reported on an attempted coup. Two other jour- pleased we are gathered here today and wish nalists were arrested in Namibia for revealing you all fruitful deliberations. 10 Opening Address Ben Amathila INTRODUCTION 2. THE MEDIA’S CONTRIBUTION TO DEMOCRACY I am honoured to have been invited to open this It is necessary for media practitioners to recog- conference and I would like to take this oppor- nise that the constant free flow of information tunity to thank the Namibia Institute for between government and the public and from Democracy and the Konrad Adenauer the public to government, is vital in promoting Foundation for organising this event. I would good governance in any democratic society. In also like to welcome to Namibia media practi- a democratic society, the public has the right to tioners from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, receive information on government policies, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South actions and projects.
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