The State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa 2023
Harare: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) (2023), 78 pp.
CC BY-SA
"The report has, in summary, shown that although there are positive developments across the Southern African region, meeting the international standards is still work in progress and in some instances, states are regressing. There is evidence of a plethora of challenges that hinder the practice of independent journalism and also the continuation of restrictive measures that do not promote press freedom. Journalists who face intimidation, harassment and other forms of violence, in most instances are confronted with the reality of impunity and diminishing political will to protect media workers. As a way forward, it is imperative for states in Southern Africa to adopt the necessary practical measures and implement the 2019 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa. The calls on States to create a conducive environment for the exercise of freedom of expression, and ensure protection from interference both online and offline." (Conclusion, page 23)
Foreword: Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of expression as the driver of all other human rights, 2
Southern Africa perspectives: Governments reneging on commitments to media freedom / Zoé Titus, 4
Press freedom under severe strain in Southern Africa / Hlengiwe Dube, 15
Online and offline harassment of women journalists / Molly Chimhanda, Kagure Gacheche and Susan Makore, 23
COUNTRY REPORTS
Angola: Restrictive environment hinders media freedom / Dércio Tsandzana, 27
Botswana: Freedom of expression faces headwinds / Queen Mosarwe, 31
Eswatini: Tensions, self-censorship rife in media landscape / Mancoba Mabuza, 36
Lesotho: Change brings hope / Maleshoane Ratsebe, 40
Malawi: Challenges outweigh progress in media law reform / Teresa Temweka Chirwa-Ndanga, 44
Mozambique: Independent journalism under threat / Ernesto Saul Nhapanze, 47
Namibia: A mixed bag for the media industry / June Shimuoshili, 51
Tanzania: Media law reform process lacks momentum / Elizabeth Riziki, 55
Zambia: In the right direction but more needs to be done / Thomas Zulu, 59
Zimbabwe: Media law reform agenda stalls as civic space shrinks / Lesley Moyo, 64
Media Freedom Violations 2022, 73
Southern Africa perspectives: Governments reneging on commitments to media freedom / Zoé Titus, 4
Press freedom under severe strain in Southern Africa / Hlengiwe Dube, 15
Online and offline harassment of women journalists / Molly Chimhanda, Kagure Gacheche and Susan Makore, 23
COUNTRY REPORTS
Angola: Restrictive environment hinders media freedom / Dércio Tsandzana, 27
Botswana: Freedom of expression faces headwinds / Queen Mosarwe, 31
Eswatini: Tensions, self-censorship rife in media landscape / Mancoba Mabuza, 36
Lesotho: Change brings hope / Maleshoane Ratsebe, 40
Malawi: Challenges outweigh progress in media law reform / Teresa Temweka Chirwa-Ndanga, 44
Mozambique: Independent journalism under threat / Ernesto Saul Nhapanze, 47
Namibia: A mixed bag for the media industry / June Shimuoshili, 51
Tanzania: Media law reform process lacks momentum / Elizabeth Riziki, 55
Zambia: In the right direction but more needs to be done / Thomas Zulu, 59
Zimbabwe: Media law reform agenda stalls as civic space shrinks / Lesley Moyo, 64
Media Freedom Violations 2022, 73
