CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES OF DIGITAL …

1 CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES OF DIGITAL migration FOR AFRICAN MEDIA By Guy BergerISBN 978086104621 First Edition Title: CHALLENGES and PERSPECTIVES of DIGITAL migration for African MediaAuthor: Guy Berger2010 Panos Institute of West AfricaDakar, Senegal. 6 rue Calmette, BP 21132 Dakar (Senegal) Tel: (221) 33. Fax: (221) Africa, African Media Matrix, Upper Prince Alfred StreetRhodes UniversityGrahamstown, 6410 South AfricaDesign and layout: Kaitlin editing and proofreading: Danika Marquis ContentsPrefaceExecutive SummaryIntroductionDigital migration definitions and issuesRadioTelevisionAwareness and preparation in AfricaStrategies in operationRecommendations to stakeholdersBibliography, Panos Institute West Africa terms of reference for this study, List of acronyms346811607174818792 CONTENTSCHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES OF DIGITAL migration FOR AFRICAN MEDIAP anos Institute West Africa (PIWA) has pleasure in welcoming this booklet.

2 It is work commissioned by PIWA in collaboration with Rhodes University as a knowledge resource especially for those working in community radio in Africa. The publication takes a complex subject, DIGITAL migration , and seeks to explain it in language that non-experts can understand. This accords with PIWA s interests in spreading knowledge to make a difference to media in West Africa as well as more broadly around the continent. DIGITAL communication technologies as well as the convergence of telecommunications and the media have changed the media sector completely. In terms of media development, we are currently witnessing progressive migration from analogue to DIGITAL production and broadcasting, hence the appearance of radio and DIGITAL television.

3 Terrestrial DIGITAL television encourages an increase in the number of programmes available, improves quality and accessibility and creates new media services. DIGITAL radio offers improved sound and reception, new multimedia functions - receivers can be equipped with screens to broadcast images and texts (programme or song titles, etc.). DIGITAL migration also offers a solution to frequency congestion and encourages more programmes. In addition, DIGITAL broadcasting (radio and TV) offers other benefits in terms of managing the frequency spectrum available, regional planning, a reduction in energy consumption and costs, etc.

4 Today, these various benefits make a move to DIGITAL broadcasting (known as DIGITAL migration ) imperative for television and radio. This is why the International Telecommunications Union has recommended all countries to move to DIGITAL broadcasting by the year the West had already begun this process several years ago, in Africa this issue has rarely been discussed or taken into account, except in rare countries such as South Africa. The end of analogue broadcasting and the production of dedicated equipment are likely to give rise to serious problems in Africa such as: problems of maintaining infrastructures which remain analogue and the further Balkanisation of African production, etc.

5 In addition, the move to DIGITAL broadcasting brings with it other crucial CHALLENGES regarding regulation planning, pluralism of information, media development and access for all to new DIGITAL equipment, and increasing dependency beyond national borders in the deliberate implementation, DIGITAL migration could lead to greater information pluralism and more diversity, and it could also assist civil society and good governance. What will make such a positive difference is the way that law, policy and practice evolves. On the other side, uninformed policy, law and practice will reduce, rather than expand, the role of African media in informing the peoples of the booklet aims to contribute to awareness-raising in West Africa (and beyond), of the importance of DIGITAL migration and the need to create appropriate strategies in order to maximize benefits and limit risks.

6 It contributes towards evolving best practice governance for African communications in regard to DIGITAL migration . What it reveals is that the phenomenon, which is part of the digitalisation of communications more generally, requires regulation systems to adapt change. While the views in this booklet are those of the author and not necessarily of PIWA itself, we are pleased to make it available to a wider audience of media stakeholders. Diana Senghor, Director, Panos Institute West Africa (PIWA) is a regional non-governmental organization, which contributes to democratising communication, and consolidating public space for open African societies, where citizens opinions are illuminated, and their voices amplified and heard.

7 PIWA supports: - Public debate and political dialogue on key development issues in Africa;- Creating a body of knowledge on media development and the CHALLENGES of communication for development;- Producing and disseminating quality media content, produced by Africans themselves;- Capacity building of actors of social change to be unites, facilitates and innovates at the regional level for:- Democratic and open African societies, based on public space that promotes change and social justice;- Assured and exercised rights, opportunities and skills for African citizens to be informed and communicate;- An image of Africa which reflects African concerns, and produced by them;- A leading institution in the sector of communication and information in Africa, committed to is based in Dakar, Senegal, and is a member of the global network of Panos Institute West Africa, 6 Rue Calmette, BP 21 132 Dakar Ponty, Dakar-Senegal.

8 Tel + 221 33 849 16 66, Fax + 221 33 822 17 61, Mail: Web: SummaryThis booklet sets out the issues involved in DIGITAL transformation in broadcast media from the viewpoint of African media stakeholders and, especially, community radio stations. It aims to correct widespread misconceptions that analogue radio will have to be switched off in the next five years as part of DIGITAL migration . At the same time, it warns that the digitisation of broadcast television signals has implications for radio stations around the continent. The same goes for digitisation more broadly, as internet growth also has implications for radio stations.

9 The study has been commissioned by the Panos Institute West Africa, which has a particular interest in community radio. In the nature of the subject matter, the scope of this study has had to be wider than community radio precisely because of the impact of the larger transitions on this sector. As background to these issues, the booklet outlines the origins and meanings of DIGITAL migration , and analyses the technical, policy, and economic implications of the process. There is information about preparedness in several African countries, with particular reference to lessons arising from South Africa as one of the frontrunners.

10 One key recommendation of this booklet is that there is no rush for African countries to undertake the very costly and highly complex move from analogue to DIGITAL TV. Another is that this particular transition is just one process (albeit a very important one) in the wider perspective of building the African Information Society by means of many DIGITAL -related changes to communications. It is further recommended that each country needs a broad-based and inclusive stakeholder forum so as to formulate comprehensive policy for the whole DIGITAL panorama (involving both broadcasting and internet sectors, and their stakeholders).