Projects - Regulatory
Kosovo: Advice on Licensing and Legal Framework
Client: Independent Media Commission of Kosovo and OSCE
Dates: January to February 2009
Albany provided on-site training and consultancy on a number of key issues faced by the Independent Media Commission of Kosovo (IMC), including a required roll-out of a long-term licensing strategy. Tasks included consultation with the industry and stakeholders, development of a long-term licensing strategy, advice on external communications concerning the strategy, and drafting of documentation necessary for the process. Albany also advised on potential changes to the law establishing the IMC.
Iraq: Capacity Building and Comprehensive Training of National Media and Communications Regulator
Client: United States Government, Iraqi Reconstruction & Management Office
Dates: November 2006 to November 2008
Albany was awarded a $2.4 million contract to provide a comprehensive training and capacity-building program in order to strengthen the independence of Iraq’s converged regulator of broadcasting and telecommunications, the Communications and Media Commission. This program includes:
- Broadcast regulation
- Licensing policy for broadcasting
- Dispute resolution and enforcement
- Public relations and consultation
- Assessment of legal landscape
- Training on law and policy
- Telecommunications issues, such as numbering and interconnection
- Soft skills, such as English language, management, business and computer skills
United Arab Emirates: Drafting Content Code & Developing System for Monitoring, Compliance & Enforcement
Client: Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE
Dates: April to August 2007
Albany won a tender to draft a code of content and accompanying guidelines for broadcasters in the UAE and to advise on a system for monitoring, compliance and enforcement. The goal was to develop a transparent and independent regulatory framework that could serve as a model for the Middle East. This project included providing comments to a code applicable to Internet content and making recommendations on organisational changes necessary to incorporate content regulation into an already-existing regulatory authority.
Jordan: Media Strengthening Program
Client: United States Agency for International Development
Dates: July 2006 to July 2009
Albany management is working with IREX and the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania on a project funded by USAID to provide comprehensive advice on Jordan’s legal framework applicable to the media, and broadcasting in particular, with the ultimate goal of creating an enabling environment for free and independent media in the country. The three-year project will involve a broad assessment of press, audiovisual and other laws; the structures and institutions governing media; and ways to develop training for media lawyers and future policy makers in Jordan on international best practices.
Jordan: Strategic Planning, Organisational Development & Internal Communications for Communications Regulator
Client: Interconnect Communications and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Jordan
Dates: 2004 to present
Albany is working with the international telecommunications consultancy, Interconnect Communications, to provide advice and consultancy on strategic planning, organisational development and internal communications to the TRC in Amman, Jordan.
Broadcast Regulatory Master Class
Client: Various Broadcast Regulatory Authorities
Dates: September 2006
Albany designed and delivered a four-day Broadcast Regulatory Master Class in London in September 2006 where experts discussed a variety of issues fundamental to running a broadcasting authority, including content standards, enforcement of codes of practice, and licensing procedures. Attendees included representatives of regulators from various countries around the globe, including Tanzania, Czech Republic and South Africa.
United Arab Emirates: Broadcast Regulatory Master Class
Client: Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the UAE
Dates: October 2006
Albany tailored its Broadcast Regulatory Master Class for delivery to the TRA in Abu Dhabi. The four-day course was specially designed to assist the TRA in its deliberations on whether and how to take on broadcast regulation (previously with the government) and become a converged communications regulator.
Iraq: Media Development
Clients: United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office and
Government of Iraq
Dates: August 2003 to March 2006
Albany Directors headed up the UK FCO’s Media Development Advisory Team in Iraq. The objective of the project was twofold. First, at a strategic level, we advised the Iraqi Government on all matters to do with media laws, freedom of speech, media development and communications regulation. Second, we helped create and support media institutions. For example, we undertook the massive task of designing and managing the establishment of Iraq’s first independent converged broadcasting and telecommunications regulatory authority—now called the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq (CMC). Additionally, the team provided technical and legal advice on establishing Iraq’s first independent public service broadcaster known as Al Iraqiya. Most observers agree that, as a consequence of the establishment of these institutions, Iraq now has the most liberalised media and telecommunications regulatory system in the Middle East.
Lebanon: Media Development and Elections Policy
Clients: IFES and Government of Lebanon
Dates: November 2005
IFES contracted Albany to provide advice to the Government of Lebanon on developing rules for the media during elections and how to establish the necessary institutions to deal with infractions.
