MISA to Hold its Annual General Meeting in Lesotho

State run print and electronic media is to come under the spotlight during the annual general meeting of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), to be held in Maseru, from August 23 to 27, according to Information and Research Officer of the Lesotho Chapter of MISA, Mr. Tom Mapesela.

Media practitioners, policy makers and academics are to deliberate on the pressing need to transform the region's state media into public service media in line with the declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, adopted by the Africa Commission on Human and People's rights in 2002, according to the Media Institute of Lesotho (MILES) Information and Research Officer.

In today's interplay of changing technological, commercial, political and cultural factors, editorially independent public service media (both print and broadcasting) is more relevant than ever, Mapesela said,
adding that in developing countries, public service media has a key mission in democratization process.

A particular challenge to the forum will be defining the role of the print media, an industry in which media freedom hitherto is equated with private ownership by individuals, clarifying that the market is seen as the
surest safeguard against state interference. Delegates will review the "state of the state media" both print and broadcasting and their performance in terms of their public service mandate, he said.

The AGM will also present its annual Press Freedom Award to an individual or institution whose work, in MISA's consideration, contributed significantly to the promotion of media freedom in the SADC region.

The regional meeting will be held under the theme "serving the public-transforming state media to serve the public interest", Mapesela said.

15 June 2004