Media Institute of Southern Africa : Promoting Media Diversity . Pluralism . Self-Sufficiency . Independence

also look at the role that the media plays in checking on centres of power to ensure accountability.

More critically, South Africa should look at its leadership role and the implications to the rest of the region and the continent on the reversal of the enjoyment of basic rights in that country.

MISA further expresses concern on the state of government, media relations in Lesotho. The arrest of Thabo Thakalekoala, MISA Regional Chairperson, in 2007 on allegations of sedition point yet again to the need to repeal archaic insult and security laws that can be abused for political ends. MISA further expresses concern at the general continued use of insult laws not only in Lesotho but in Swaziland and Zimbabwe by powerful individuals in government, politics and business to silence journalists. In light of these MISA is participating in a campaign with fellow civic organizations to establish a SADC Insult laws free zone. This campaign takes cognizance of the need to improve journalistic skills and also promote amicable dispute resolution through voluntary Media Councils.

In the course of the year MISA issued 181 alerts. The media alerts document media and freedom of expression violations and developments in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe had the highest number of alerts at 57. The monitoring of media and freedom of expression violations generally point to further deterioration in the relationship between our governments and the media. This bad relationship is demonstrated through threats made on journalists and media organizations, and the enactment of unfriendly media laws.

While new positive laws were drafted and passed in Zambia, their implementation remains in limbo as the government procrastinates on taking the laws forward. New laws are also being proposed in Swaziland with far reaching consequences on the future of the underdeveloped media in that country.

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