Community Media Legislative and Enabling Environment
Community media policy, legal and regulatory frameworks must be considered in a wider political context to establish favourable conditions particularly where rule of law is weak and freedom of expression is not respected.
Core characteristics that facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for community media include:
- Clear and explicit recognition of community media as a distinct sector that is run for social gain and community benefit, not-for-profit;
- Straight forward and transparent legal and regulatory processes for access to the radio spectrum and distribution platforms independent from political or commercial interference;
- Encouragement from policy makers to relevant broadcasters to develop economic support from within their own community and to facilitate assistance through independently administered public funding mechanisms;
- Active promotion of community media development through the engagement of civil society based advocacy groups, representative associations and the commitment and support of policy makers.
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