"The report is written from a media perspective and focuses on regional media initiatives and challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seven focus areas that are instrumental for the future of quality journalism have been investigated: Professionalism – capacity to demand accountability; Gender and media
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; Financial sustainability and media diversity; Access to information; Safety of journalists; Social media, disinformation and online harassment; Media self-regulation and ethics. In the second part of the study, focus is set on what donors should consider when reviewing how regional media initiatives and processes can contribute to democracy and accountability. This second part can be seen as connecting local and national media stakeholders with regional initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as to the ongoing global dialogue on the need for increased media development, manifested at the international meeting organised by CIMA and Sida in Paris in March 2019. The report lists seven recommendations on entry points: 1. Step up regional media support; 2. Focus on integrated, comprehensive regional approaches; 3. Stimulate regional coalition building; 4. Support regional innovative initiatives that demand accountability; 5. Prioritise regional support that promotes financial sustainability for the media; 6. Strengthen regional support for institution building, supporting self-regulation and ethics; 7. Fund regional processes that are anchored in national and local initiatives aiming at building trust and giving voice to the excluded." (Executive summary)
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"Uganda's broadcast media landscape has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years. While the public broadcaster remains the dominant national player - in terms of reach - in both radio and television, commercial broadcasters have introduced a substantial level of diversity in the industry. Public
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broadcasting faces serious competition from the numerous private and independent broadcasters, especially in and around the capital Kampala and major urban centres. In fact, the private/commercial sector clearly dominates the industry in most respects, notably productivity and profitability. The public broadcaster, which enjoys wider geographical coverage, faces the challenge of trying to fulfill a broad mandate with little funding. This makes it difficult for UBC to compete with the more nimble operators in the commercial/private sector. Overall, there appears to be a healthy degree of pluralism and diversity in terms of ownership." (Publisher description)
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