The media sector plays a key role in safeguarding democracy, good governance, and realisation of fundamental human rights. Further, the media, legacy and new, have a critical function in creating direct and indirect employment to many citizens and foreigners working in the sector. The media is thus a key driver in the developmental journey of each of the East African Community member states.
It thus important that each of the EAC member states seek to develop media laws and policies that must ensure the growth of an independent, professional, and sustainable media the sector. There is also need that such policies are reviewed to ensure they accord with the ever-changing media ecosystem given the transformative effects of digitization and the resultant media convergence.
This comparative report highlights the relevant international and regional human rights standards and compares how each of the four East African Community member states fair on eight key media regulatory issues of pluralism; diversity; independence of regulatory bodies; regulation of journalists; regulation of print media; regulation of broadcasting media; public service media/broadcasting; and regulation of film.