Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
Press Freedom and Globalisation - International Press Institute
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<strong>Press</strong> <strong>Freedom</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Globalisation</strong><br />
<strong>Press</strong> <strong>Freedom</strong> Interactions Between Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia <strong>and</strong> East Africa<br />
Interactions between Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia <strong>and</strong> East Africa are conducted in several ways. There are<br />
direct links where press freedom is the matter. Further, both regions interact indirect<br />
because both are subordinated to the same global regimes of press freedom.<br />
Direct Links Between Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia <strong>and</strong> East Africa<br />
Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian countries do not have long traditions for activities in East Africa. From the<br />
time of independence, East African countries became recipients of development aid from<br />
Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian countries. These regional connections emerged despite lack of earlier<br />
connections. 6 The level of trade between the two regions is modest. Aid was given both as<br />
bilateral <strong>and</strong> multilateral assistance. In addition, support from private institutions as well as<br />
Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian governments through NGOs are common. 7 All the East African countries<br />
have been through periods where aid from Sc<strong>and</strong>inavia more or less was cancelled. 8 On a<br />
personal level, the Tanzanian President Julius K. Nyerere developed strong bonds with the<br />
Sc<strong>and</strong>inavians. 9<br />
All Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian countries include media or press freedom as conditions for giving<br />
aid. This can be in policy declarations, as a part of ‘good governance’ conditionalities tied<br />
to aid, or as support to specific media projects. The following examples illustrate how<br />
Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian aid influence press freedom in East Africa. First, Norway <strong>and</strong> Sweden, in<br />
Tanzania in 2004, sponsored the annual World Association of <strong>Press</strong> Councils Conference<br />
6 Simensen, Jarle, 1952-1975: Norge møter den tredje verden : Norsk utviklingshjelps historie 1 (Bergen,<br />
Norway: Fagbokforlaget, 2003), pp. 135-136 <strong>and</strong> 197.<br />
7 Ibid., pp. 135-170, 215 <strong>and</strong> 268.<br />
8 Ibid., pp. 182-183 (Ug<strong>and</strong>a); <strong>and</strong> Ruud, Arild Engelsen, 1975-1989: Vekst, velvilje og utfordringer : Norsk<br />
utviklingshjelps historie 2 (Bergen, Norway: Fagbokforlaget, 2003), pp. 167-168 (Tanzania) <strong>and</strong> 257-258<br />
(Kenya).<br />
9 Simensen, 1952-1975: Norge møter den tredje verden, pp. 141-142.<br />
117
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