More specifically, it looked at the role and nature of public service bodies, so as to determine the conditions for effective operations. It discussed the importance of pluralism, the role of the private sector in relation to the public interest and, finally, the need to organize appropriate regulatory systems.

This African conference, proposed by the Government of Morocco and the WRTVC, was both timely and urgent. Large broadcasting and communication organizations are rapidly acquiring a global scope.

Faced with these phenomena, many African countries are wondering how to transform their broadcasting systems in order to respect freedom of expression and retain some control over their cultural future.

On November 19, 1998, in Rabat, Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi stated that the basic principle for all reform is that "human rights cannot be protected without freedom of information."

A conference organized jointly by the World Radio and Television Council and the Ministry of Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco with the support of UNESCO.

Meeting in Rabat from May 28 to 31, 2000, at the initiative of the government of the Kingdom of Morocco, the World Radio and Television Council (WRTVC) and some twenty co-operative agencies, foundations and broadcasting organizations, with the support of UNESCO, on the theme of "Challenges for Public Broadcasting in Africa," ministers responsible for communication and culture, directors of audiovisual media, national regulatory authorities, citizens associations, community media, international networks and specialists and researchers from some thirty countries in Africa, Europe, Japan, Australia and North America adopted the following Declaration, to be known as the Rabat Declaration:

REAFFIRM the need for the United Nations, its agencies and programs to continue promoting the concepts of independence and pluralism in African audiovisual media and to support their implementation;

REAFFIRM the importance and pertinence of the Windhoek Declaration of May 3, 1991, endorsed by the UNESCO General Conference at its 26th session and issued at the close of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, organized jointly by the United Nations Organization and UNESCO, and in particular the 17th recommendation of this Declaration;

AFFRIM the importance for Africa of public broadcasting devoted to freedom of expression. Public broadcasting is neither commercial nor government-controlled; its sole purpose is to serve the public. It is the public's broadcaster, addressing everyone as a citizen. It encourages access and participation in public life. It develops knowledge, expands horizons and allows all citizens to better understand themselves through a better comprehension of others and the world;

CONSIDER that media strategies for globalization and uniformization of creation and expression are a concern for all of Africa, its governments, professionals and creators, hence the urgency of reflecting on and taking action to promote specific characteristics, identities and cultures. Such reflection and action must contribute to enriching the universal heritage and the new information society, a society that today is coming under technological pressure;

FEEL that broadcasting plays a direct role in attaining objectives respecting development and democracy, good government, freedom and promotion of human rights. Its power and impact stimulate participation and creation while encouraging dialogue and exchange among peoples;

URGE professionals in the media and civil society, governments and legislative authorities representing the African continent to support this vision of public service broadcasting. This vision must be implemented, developed and protected in all societies, and particularly in Africa, where the risks of uniformization are growing;

The participants invite the government of the Kingdom of Morocco, host of this Conference, and UNESCO, to promote this Declaration to governments and to international agencies and organizations.

U N E S C O
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Freidrich Ebert Stiftung
Freidrich Naumann Stiftung
Ministère des Affaires étrangères de France
Radiodiffusion Télévision Marocaine
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Société Suisse de Radiodiffusion
Société de télédiffusion du Québec
Swedish International Development Agency
Université de Montréal
and also with the collaboration of
Arab States Broadcasting Union
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
Canadian Center for International Studies and Cooperation
Commonwealth Broadcasters Association
Conseil international des radiotélévisions d'expression française
Network of African Communication Regulatory Authorities
South African Broadcasters Association
Thomson Foundation
Union of National Radio and Television Organizations of Africa