focused on protection of the elite and the powerful rather than accountability and transparency. New laws being proposed in the region fall far short of recognizing developments in the ICTs sector and how our media can be assisted to further reach out and develop capacity and skills.

On May 3 MISA urges SADC governments and civic society to work towards achieving the principles of the Windhoek Declaration of 1991 and the African Charter on Broadcasting of 2001, as well as adhere to the African Union Banjul Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.These declarations and principles broadly recognize the positive role that the public and independent media play in social, political and economic development.

In this regard a lot of work needs to be done in enacting democratic media laws that promote the growth of the media and telecommunications sector, hence promote freedom of expression rights.

On May 3, we emphasize that SADC governments should work to consolidate media and freedom of expression rights through improving protocols such as the SADC Protocol on Information, Sport and Culture. More work needs to be done to ensure the enforcement of these protocols and Declarations on freedom of expression. More should also be done to strengthen the capacity of protective bodies such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and the SADC Tribunal as a way of enhancing their role in defending basic rights. The knee-jerk response to the crisis in Zimbabwe serves as a reminder on why SADC and Africa need stronger and effective protective regional and continental bodies.

On May 3, MISA celebrates the sacrifices being made by journalists, media organizations and communities in defending media and freedom of expression rights, often under serious threats of all sorts. MISA commends the few governments that continue to maintain a healthy, interactive and consultative relationship with the media and civic society. May 3 is therefore that time to take stock, and ask the question how far have we come?

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