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Developing Independent Media as an Institution of Accountable Governance
The first postwar elections in 2005 provided the chance for ABR to demonstrate the value of a professional and organized radio sector. ABR member stations—allied with all the main political parties— worked with civil society organizations to produce joint programs on election-related issues for national broadcast and monitored the election process. The incoming president acknowledged that the media had contributed to an election that was largely free and fair. But this honeymoon didn’t last. In response to growing government pressure on the media, ABR organized meetings, protests, and radio debates, educating the public about the roles, responsibilities, and rights of independent media. ABR also worked to strengthen the media’s professional standards and to improve the quality of broadcast content—organizing training workshops and joint productions on development issues such as education and health. The independent media’s voice was strengthened when ABR joined other media organizations in a federation under the Maison de la Presse de Burundi. In 2008 ABR also established a training and resource center to continue building media capacity and sustainability. The Centre for Audiovisual Resources offers training in all aspects of TV and radio broadcasting (journalistic, managerial, and technical), technical/equipment services (maintenance, purchasing, and renting), and facilities for joint productions. By 2010 ABR had 13 members, including the seven most influential independent radio stations, and three full-time staff. It has been regularly cited as Burundi’s leading media professional organization. The battle for independence is not over, but debate about journalism standards and rights is open and robust, with ABR often in the lead defending the independence of its members. ABR shows that when independent radio stations are divided, they are vulnerable to economic and political pressures; united, they can support one another and form an independent force that government cannot ignore. External support—both financial and technical—can be crucial in enabling scattered individual media outlets to come together and experience the benefits of partnership. (Source: Panos)
be modified for certain conflict situations. As always, a thorough assessment process will help the donor select and modify activities for a particular environment. • Build infrastructure that operates in a nonpartisan manner. In postconflict environments, access to information can be politicized. For instance, it