Page 40 - OSISA Annual Report 2015-2018

Besides conducting a survey, IPOR also facilitated the holding of consultative meetings, during which public officials and citizens interfaced to reflect on the implementation of the old strategy and how the plan could be strengthened as we advance. This kind of inclusive approach will help build citizens’ support for the strategy and stimulate their participation in the fight against corruption.
Media and access to information (ATI)
Expanding access to information and supporting fact-checking
A big chunk of our interventions under this pillar went to support media organisations and processes that seek to build trust in the media following the scourge of disinformation on the internet (fake news). This support was tied to how best the mainstream media could defend its position in the wake of digital news platforms. The work also included supporting fact-checking initiatives in the region and capacitating the media on significant convergence of traditional and digital platforms in information dissemination, such as the use of mobiNews for the provision of real-time news at a profit.
This need for dissemination through digital platforms is grounded on the fact that news consumption trends are now different, given information overload brought about by the digital age. Key organisations that we worked with here included the centres for investigative journalism that OSISA has helped set up in Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi. Also included were the traditional partners like Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) chapters in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Swaziland.
Additionally, OSISA supported information hubs as spaces for youths to use information and communication technology (ICT) tools to dialogue, debate and engage among themselves and possibly come up with collective positions on matters affecting their lives. Some of the hubs included Mhub in Malawi, Morija in Lesotho and the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) in Zimbabwe. The hubs are also being used for content production for online platforms.
Overview
The ESJ Cluster continued to support partners in various efforts towards promoting inclusive development policies and promoting equitable access to health services and education services. Much of the work by our partners is beginning to yield positive outcomes. Worth highlighting in this report are the gains the cluster and our partners are making in the following areas:
à Building a strong movement of informal traders in the region and national level.
à Shining the spotlight on policies trends that under- mine socio-economic rights.
à Strengthening the adoption of inclusive education in ECDE by focussing on children with disabilities and special education needs.
à Promoting transparent and innovative financing for the health sector.
In 2017, the Cluster made a strategic decision to look into the extent and impact of privatisation on socio- economic rights. This was out of the recognition that most governments are increasingly turning to Private Sector Partnerships in an attempt to mobilise resources for development. The African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) was commissioned to undertake a regional study covering ten countries to assess privatisation trends in education and health rights. This study was finalised in the last quarter, and the partner prepared the report for publication.
A summary of the study findings indicated that whilst privatisation is widespread in the region, and private sector regulation is feeble in almost all the countries, there are no quality controls, and mechanisms for monitoring private sector service providers are virtually
Economic and Social Justice (ESJ) Cluster
38
OPEN SOCIETY INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA – 2018 REPORT