The UNESCO workshop will mainly focus on the independence of broadcasting regulatory system, guaranteed by law, which is necessary to ensure media pluralism, and freedom of expression and information. This training is important for broadcasting regulators, who have to deal with ever changing media environment, technological innovations, and such issues as jurisdiction, licensing, ownership, plurality, advertising and programming.

The training will be based on the CBA Guidelines for Broadcasting Regulation, supported by UNESCO and first published in 2006, with a second, updated edition in 2008. It will be followed by a distance-learning course, the information on which will be made available shortly.

The workshop is sponsored by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which provides support to media projects and seeks to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media. Media Development Indicators, endorsed by IPDC in 2008, recognise the importance of regulation for freedom of expression, pluralism and the diversity of media. UNESCO, therefore, supports legal, policy and regulatory frameworks, based on international standards, in order to protect and promote freedom of expression and information.

Parallel to the workshop, the CBA-UNESCO Award for Science Reporting and Programming will be presented at a ceremony hosted by CBA on 20 April. This prize was jointly established by UNESCO and CBA in 2006 in order to promote science literacy and science communication through media. It illustrates UNESCO’s recognition of the importance of specialised journalism, such as science reporting.