Conference on public broadcasting in Africa

An international conference on challenges to public broadcasting in Africa started works in Rabat Sunday to assess the urgency of challenges posed by the development of technology and the speed of worldwide changes.

Participants underlined the role of the TV, radio and communication technologies in taking up the triple challenge posed by democracy, development and integration in the 21st century-modern society.

They stressed that public broadcasting can considerably contribute to economic, social and cultural progress and to promotion of democracy in developing countries.

African radio and TV systems should be dedicated to the public interests, freedom of speech, the development of democratic values and cultural diversity, they said.

The four-day conference will further look at the role of public service organizations and attempt to determine the nature, criteria and conditions for effective operations. It will discuss the importance of pluralism, the role of the private sector in relation to public interest and the need for appropriate regulatory systems.

The conference is organized by the Moroccan ministry of communication in cooperation with Paris-based world radio and television council.