Abstract
This study focused on evaluating the extent to which content and the physical audio and image carriers1 are being preserved by members of the Public Service Broadcasting members of the Southern African Broadcasting Association2 (SABA). The imperative to preserve audiovisual collections has been under the spotlight in recent years and manifested in the declaration of October, 27 as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage by UNESCO. UNESCO recognised that audiovisual documents, including radio and television programmes, contained the primary records of the 20th and 21st centuries and that radio and television recordings are “part of the national cultural heritage” (UNESCO, 2010). Public Service Broadcasters have an obligation to manage their records as public organisations. This is often legislated as depicted in Broadcast Acts, Legal Deposit Acts or National Archive Acts. Public broadcasters therefore have to protect collections from physical deterioration and damage to minimise any loss of information (Pearce-Moses, 2005). It stands to reason that Public Service Broadcasters should be informed and up to date with preservation strategies and should ensure the safeguarding of these records. This study investigated the current status of the SABA member Public Service Broadcasting archives, best practices employed by the broadcasters to ensure longterm preservation of their collections and digitisation strategies in place to ensure long-term preservation of its collections.
M.Com. (Business Management : Information and Knowledge Management)