APRM and the Media: Getting the Story Right

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), established in 2003 to improve governance in member states, has failed to attract significant media attention despite its potential. The document identifies four primary barriers: the bulky and technical nature of Country Review Reports (CRRs), a lack of understanding of the APRM's complex processes among journalists, a media focus on sporadic events rather than the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), and inadequate communication strategies from APRM structures. Furthermore, the paper notes that the APRM's self-assessment questionnaires historically neglected media freedom, only introducing a related question in 2011. Case studies from Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Uganda illustrate that while media-friendly packaging (such as traffic light rating systems) can generate interest, coverage remains intermittent and superficial. The authors argue that the media's watchdog role is essential for monitoring NPoA implementation and recommend the adoption of continental and national media strategies, specialized journalist beats, and increased training to bridge the gap between the APRM and the public.

• The APRM has had negligible impact on improving press freedom among its member states between 2003 and 2013. Of the 17 countries reviewed by that time, only Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Zambia improved their status from 'Not Free' to 'Partly Free', while South Africa and Mali regressed from 'Free' to 'Partly Free'.
• The physical and technical nature of APRM documentation deters media coverage. Country Review Reports (CRRs) are typically 400–500 pages long, which is too bulky for mainstream journalists, and the process itself is viewed as too complex and technical, leading to shallow reporting and factual errors.
• Media coverage of the APRM is typically limited to the launch of reports or official events, ignoring the critical second stage of the process: the implementation of the National Programme of Action (NPoA). This prevents the media from fulfilling its watchdog role in holding governments accountable for the high costs and promised governance reforms.
• The APRM's own assessment tools historically ignored the role of the press. The original self-assessment questionnaire lacked explicit questions on media freedom, a gap that was only partially addressed in a 2011 revision which added one question on the role of media.
• Case studies indicate that the APRM can attract significant media attention if information is 'packaged' for the press. In South Africa, the use of a 'traffic light rating system' (green, orange, and red) to track NPoA progress resulted in significant local and international coverage, including interviews with the BBC.
• Communication failures at the continental and national levels contribute to the APRM's low profile. The authors note a lack of coherent media strategies and a previously inadequate website, suggesting that the appointment of a dedicated media and communications manager at the Secretariat is essential.

APA

Turianskyi, Y., & Grey-Johnson, J. (2014). APRM and the Media: Getting the Story Right. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Occasional-Paper-171.pdf

Chicago

Turianskyi, Yarik, and Jeggan Grey-Johnson. APRM and the Media: Getting the Story Right. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Occasional-Paper-171.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Turianskyi |first1=Yarik |last2=Grey-Johnson |first2=Jeggan |title=APRM and the Media: Getting the Story Right |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=January 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Occasional-Paper-171.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{turianskyi2014aprm, author = {Turianskyi, Yarik and Grey-Johnson, Jeggan}, title = {{APRM and the Media: Getting the Story Right}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Occasional-Paper-171.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }