Enabling Environment for Social Accountability in ... - SASANet

Findings and Recommendations: Mongolian Media (MEDIA)
Finding MEDIA 1. The current licensing regulations enable political distortions by requiring a letter of
support from the local governor; failing to promote public interest broadcasting by disregarding content;
and undermining the capacity of broadcasters by licensing more than the market can currently support.
Recommendation: The GoM in consultation with media-related CSOs should 1) remove the licensing
requirement of a governor’s signature from the law on Radio Waves; 2) regulate licensing by considering
diversity of content and ownership, including nonprofit and community broadcasters; and 3) reduce the
number of television licenses to reflect the capacity of the market.
Finding MEDIA 2. The full potential of the national public broadcaster (PRTV) to produce public
interest programming is threatened by dramatic reductions in its sources of funding and the politicization
of its new governing body, the National Council.
Recommendations:
1) In collaboration with the PRTV and media-related CSOs, the GoM should promote the capacity
building of the PRTV to ensure more efficient management and resource mobilization.
International donors should provide initial support for such a program, which should include
investigation of cost-saving measures within broadcasting operations and exchanges with other
public broadcasters who have been forced to cut back on operations (for example, the Georgian
public broadcaster).
2) PRTV should monitor the impact of eliminating access to advertising resources, keeping the GoM
and the public informed about adverse consequences. Should this seriously undermine the ability
of PRTV to provide public interest programming, public officials should amend this restriction
and establish a five-year budget to promote the autonomy of the PRTV.
3) With initial technical and financial support from the international community, media-related
CSOs should monitor the implementation of the Public Broadcasting Law and initiate inquiries
with the agencies or the judiciary should any shortcomings be identified.
4) The international community should provide technical assistance for the capacity building of
National Council members to enable them to operate effectively and in accordance with best
practices around the world.
Finding MEDIA 3. The registration system for the media threatens its independence by permitting
politicization that causes delays or obstructions for those wishing to enter the market.
Recommendation: In consultation with the media and media-related CSOs, public officials should revise
the registration system for the media to ensure it does not pose obstacles to potential entrants. They may
transfer this responsibility to a nongovernmental agency to avoid undue political influence in the
registration process. International donor agencies, INGOs, and interested CSOs should actively advocate
for these changes by, for example, providing comparative materials on other countries’ experiences.
Finding MEDIA 4. Although a Draft Law of Mongolia on Freedom of Information was prepared in
2002, parliament has not passed legislation to ensure access to information required by the media.
Recommendation: Public officials should take immediate action to adopt an access to information law
that is in line with constitutional and international standards. In collaboration with CSOs and the media,
and with initial funding from the donor community, the GoM should then promote its implementation
through training and publicity.
Finding MEDIA 5. A culture of secrecy, reinforced by several broad secrecy laws, is inconsistent with
open government and obstructs the media’s access to information.
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