posted on
17 September, 2019
(public)
New look and new mechanisms for a better interaction and external communication
The Conference of Presidents of the REFRAM, the French-speaking regulators' network, took place in Tunis on 6 and 7 September 2019. This gathering was an opportunity to welcome the new Tunisian presidency of the network, to look back on the activities of the last two years and to welcome a new member.
In accordance with their 2018/2019 roadmap, four major initiatives were carried on by the REFRAM network over the last 12 months:
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Monitoring of the fulfillment of public service mandate and community media
Following a study led by two experts - Mr Hadji Malick Ndiaye and Dr Aimé Robeye Rirangar - who were tasked by OFCOM Switzerland to collect national data, a database on public service and community media will be launched shortly on the new website.
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Impact of new media on democratic processes
A conference on “Social networks, regulation and electoral processes” was held in Tunis on 17 and 18 October 2018, on the occasion of which members exchanged on challenges to pluralism, the interaction with other regulatory authorities and the fight against hate speech on social networks.
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Redesign of the REFRAM’s website
Under the supervision of the French CSA, a new REFRAM’s website was launched in order to encourage the sharing of information between members, the interaction and to improve the external communication of the network.
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Establishment of peer reviews
Inspired by the EBU example, the network has set up a new mechanism of cooperation with the establishment of peer reviews, aimed at enhancing partnership between members and the sharing of knowledge and practice. A first pilot experience is ongoing between the regulator in Niger and the Swiss OFCOM, a feedback report is expected at the end of the year.
At the Tunis conference, the network also welcomed a new authority, the “Commission nationale de la communication” of Djibouti, bringing the total number of members to 30.
Additional background: The Network of French-speaking media regulatory authorities (REFRAM) was created on 1st July 2007 in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso. The network aims at working towards the consolidation of the rule of law, democracy and human rights. This platform comprises 30 media regulatory authorities from 27 French-speaking African and European countries as well as Canada. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) has observer's status.
Since September 2019, the network has a new Board:
Chairman: Mr Nouri Lajmi, President of the Tunisian "Haute Autorité Indépendante de la Communication Audiovisuelle" (HAICA)
Vice-Chairman: Mr Roch-Olivier Maistre, President of the French CSA
Source: REFRAM website