Towards an understanding of the role of commercialisation in programming at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation from 1995 to 1998 : a case study

Competition in many market-driven media systems in advanced industrial countries can sometimes compromise traditional public service broadcast values such as programming for diversity, citizenship, minority interests and national identity. This study investigates the presence and effects of commercial-logic in a state-owned broadcaster in a developing country: the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. Using indepth interviews and analysis of records on finance and programme schedules, the study finds overwhelming indicators of the presence of commercial logic, not driven by competition, but a commitment to provide a public service under deteriorating financial conditions. Distinguishing between the impacts of advertising and sponsorship markets on media output, the study finds contradictory effects of commercialisation. Some effects confirm some of the adverse effects of commercialisation such as heavy sponsorinfluence on programme content, self-censorship among programme producers who avoid injuring sponsors and producers paying more attention to sponsored programmes at the expense ofthe quality of some non-sponsored public service programmes. However, effects are not always contrary to public service broadcasting but may Indeed reinforce such broadcasting. Commercialisation in some instances has led to the sustenance of a range of non-sponsored public service programmes including programmes to promote culture and civic rights. In general, this study highlights the need to focus on what is realistically possible within the dynamics of the Malawi Society as a precondition for a proactive and elaborate strategy for commercialisation ofthe country's public broadcaster

Journalists' development journalism role perceptions

Development journalism remains an important concept in the journalism studies literature, but it has, at the same time, suffered from a lack of empirical research. Drawing on a survey of 2598 journalists from eight South Asian, Southeast Asian, and sub-Saharan African countries, which was conducted as part of the Worlds of Journalism Study, this study assesses the importance journalists ascribe to three key development journalism roles—social intervention, national development, and educating people. It also compares these perceptions across the countries, between government- and privately owned news media in these countries, and between these countries and 19 Worlds of Journalism Study countries in Western Europe and North America, which profess to adhere to an objective and democratic press function. Findings suggest that journalists from the eight countries, across government- and privately owned media, considered development journalism important, and detached, adversarial journalism as less important. Their rating of the latter roles differed considerably from those of journalists from the 19 comparison countries. Results suggest that journalists were more likely socialized into their roles rather than being forced into the same by the heavy hand of government