The African Media Barometer (AMB)

The African Media Barometer is the first in-depth and comprehensive description and measurement system for national media environments on the African continent. Unlike other press surveys or media indices the AMB is a self-assessment exercise based on homegrown criteria derived from African Protocols and Declarations like the “Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa” (2002) by the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). It takes up the idea of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on good governance – where African leaders conveniently forgot to include the media! – and applies it to the media at a national level.
 
At the same time the AMB serves as a practical lobbying tool for media reform. Its results are presented to the public of the respective country to push for an improvement of the media situation using the AU-Declaration as a benchmark. They are then integrated into the advocacy work of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and into the program of the local FES-offices in sub-Saharan Africa.