Some
guidelines on Ownership and Cross-ownership in the broadcasting sector in The
Gambia have been validated by stakeholders in the media industry.
The
move to have in place such guidelines was necessitated by the fact that
plurality in media sourcing for information dissemination was gravely affected,
especially as regards to TV broadcasting, as well as impeding market growth and
ownership diversity. Stiff competition and optimal performance are also
affected under the current media landscape.
While
we are yet to see the fruition of this undertaking, be we believe that the step
to get it done and implemented is in the right direction.
This
is because looking at the objectives of the guidelines one could see some light
at the end of the tunnel for a better media landscape if the programme is well
implemented.
These
guidelines are developed and put in place to ensure that the Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority (PURA), subscribers and the general public “are well
informed of Ownership Interests, Cross-Ownership and the plurality of views in
the Broadcasting sector in The Gambia”.
The
Guidelines therefore have the following objectives, according to PURA:
To
fulfill the purpose of section 227 (e) of the Information and Communications
Act 2009.
To
ensure media plurality in contributing towards a robust democratic society.
This would allow the general public to be able to consume a wide variety of
Information across TV, Radio and other media outlets.
To
limit the opinions of consolidation of ownership, stifling market growth and
the possibility of forcing out the small market players.
To
encourage diversity of ownership in the broadcasting sector
To
minimize the ability of single entities/individuals to control the licensing of
multiple media outlets.
To
enforce The Gambia’s broadcasting policy limitations on foreign ownership for
both Signal Distributors and Content Providers.
To
enable the Authority keep up up-to-date on changes in ownership with licenced
entities.
The
Guidelines on Ownership and Cross-ownership in the broadcasting sector would
really change the face of the media landscape in The Gambia if everything goes
on well.
“The
safest way to ensure diversity of opinion is diverse ownership. But this ideal
has been sacrificed by our government”
--
Ben Bagdikian
