Media effective in checking anti-competitive behaviour in Comesa
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) competition commission has urged the media in the region to raise public awareness on the role of the commission and the benefits of addressing anti-competitive behaviour in the region.
Speaking at a two-day Second Competition Law Regional Sensitisation Workshop for Business Reporters held in Livingstone, Zambia on Thursday and Friday, board chairperson for the commission Matthews Chikankheni said media advocacy has become an effective tool in detecting anti-competitive practices on the market.
Chikankheni, former chairperson of Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), said most competition authorities monitor the media for signs of anti-competitive behaviour on the market and have dedicated personnel to deal with such information.
He said historically the media has played a critical role in raising awareness to enhance competition culture in advanced competition jurisdictions such as the United States (US) and the European Union (EU).
Chikankheni further said media advocacy also influences the behaviour of policy makers through advancing democratic discussion of policy issues as it sets the public agenda and establishes discussion parameters.
“It is common these days to note that public policy debates are often fought on the front pages of the newspapers, over the Internet and across radio waves,” he said.
The ComesaCompetiton Commission (CCC) promotes and encourages competition by preventing restrictive business practices and other restrictions that deter the efficient operation of markets.
