State of Media Freedom in Southern Africa 2011

State of media Annual publication of freedom in the Media Institute of Southern Africa Southern Africa (MISA) 2011

4 So This is Democracy • 2011 SO THIS IS DEMOCRACY? State of media freedom in Southern Africa 2011

Isaac Kambwiri, a journalist with Malawi’s Capital FM, fell victim to police brutality during the July 20/21 mass demonstrations against the repressive regime of late president, Bingu wa Mutharika whose failed policies and mismanagement had seen Malawi face its worst economic crisis since Independence, leading to social unrest. (pic: supplied by Kondwani Munthali - http://munthalikondwani.blogspot.com/) Published by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia Telephone: +264 61 232 975 Website: http://www.misa.org

Editor Levi Kabwato Email: [email protected]

Editorial assistance Neo Mooka [email protected]

Translator Delphin llunga [email protected]

Layout & cover design Clara Mupopiwa

ISBN The views expressed by independent contributors are 99916-62-25-1 not necessarily those of MISA From the Office of the Regional Director

By publicly revealing abuses against Celebrating 20 years of media the media and by acting on behalf of freedom monitoring and imprisoned and threatened journalists, advocacy MISA strives to secure the safety of the journalists who – through their work 2012 is an important year for our or- seek the promotion and protection of ganisation as we celebrate our 20th an- civil and political rights as well as the niversary. MISA was established in 1992 promotion, protection and realisation of in response to the Unesco-sponsored economic, social and cultural rights. Windhoek Declaration of 1991. It was This 18th edition of So This Is De- then mandated by concerned journalists mocracy? documents numerous media to implement decisions adopted under freedom and freedom of expression vio- the declaration in the Southern African lations that MISA recorded in Southern region. Africa during the course of 2011. The It is our sincere wish that journalists critical monitoring and research function and media institutions remain confident is at the core of MISA’s work throughout in MISA and its ability to articulate their Southern Africa and closely linked with concerns and advocate for an environ- decisive action, both in terms of practical ment that facilitates professional and ac- support to journalists and media policy countable media operations. We are ever advocacy. It is this gathering of evidence mindful of the vital role of the media to that has positioned MISA as the main safeguard and promote our democracies, driver of media policy reforms in the re- and will continue capacitate media pro- gion over the last two decades. fessionals and ultimately our citizens, so Having said that, it remains essential that we may all evolve from being sub- to mention that an organisation consists jects to active citizens who engage in the of individuals. In this case MISA’s net- governance of their countries. work of media monitoring and advocacy officers throughout Southern Africa, as Aluta continua! well as its regional monitoring and research staff must be acknowledged for Zoe Titus their dedication. Additionally, we ac- Regional Director knowledge the support of our funding [email protected] partners - Danida, Sida and Norad who have supported our work in Southern Africa for more than 17 years.

So This is Democracy • 2011 7

CONTENT

09 Notes on classification 12 Regional overview

27 Angola National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

41 Botswana National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

55 Lesotho National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

65 Malawi National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

86 Mozambique National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

94 Namibia National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

So This is Democracy • 2011 9 112 South Africa National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

130 Swaziland National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

146 Tanzania National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

158 Zambia National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

171 Zimbabwe National overview in English National overview in Portuguese Summary of violations recorded in 2010

194 About Misa 198 How to report an attack on the media

201 Appendices Windhoek Declaration 202 Africa Charter on Broadcasting 206 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa 210 Declaration of Table Mountain 216

10 So This is Democracy • 2011 NOTES ON CLASSIFICATION

The list and definitions of classifications As indicated above, the categories are in “So This Is democracy?” - which makes arranged in alphabetical order. Below up the bulk of the content of this book - is a description of each category. Each are assigned to specific categories. Actual category captures a fairly broad range of alerts issued by MISA are indicated by the incidents, and more than just the single ALERT in the top right hand corner of the word it is represented by. Nevertheless, entry. In all, there are eleven categories: each category is an accurate summation of incidents that are not too dissimilar Beaten with respect to their nature and the manner in which they affect the individual media workers and/or the Bombed media in general. Except for victory, the categories make up a list of the various Censored types of violations media workers can experience during the course of or as a Legislated result of their work: Killed - This tops the list in terms of Detained severity, and there is no need to explain why. Included under this category, Expelled however, are incidents where journalists have been kidnapped or gone missing, and have disappeared. For the purpose Killed of this publication, that means that any incidents involving the latter will Sentenced add to the statistics of this category. The statistic given is for the number of media workers involved, as opposed to Threatened the number of incidents reported.

Victory Beaten - This includes incidents where journalists are assaulted, attacked Others physically, tortured, or wounded during the course of their work. The statistic

So This is Democracy • 2011 11 given is for the number of media workers Expelled - This category relates to involved. the free movement of media workers. It involves incidents where journalists are Bombed - This includes incidents expelled from a country, are prevented where a home of a journalist or the office from entering a country (denying of of a media house/outlet/organisation Visas, work papers or accreditation), are is sabotaged through bombing, arson, prevented from leaving a country, are vandalism, theft, or is raided or occupied barred from travelling into a country forcibly. The statistic given is for the or from entering certain areas, and number of media workers or media generally inhibited from moving freely in organisations involved. order to perform their work. The statistic given is for the number of media workers Detained - This involves a media involved. worker being put behind bars. It can be legal or illegal and includes being Legislation - This relates to all sentenced to a jail term or being detained aspects of the legislative process and the (without charge, incommunicado, application of common law. It includes preventative, arrest). The statistic given instances where official proposals are is for the number of media workers made for new laws, legislation is passed, involved. laws are amended or struck down either in parliament or by the courts, and civil Censored - This is where information litigation is instituted against media. is suppressed or prevented from being This category is not all about violations, published, or where media workers since there can be legislation that are somehow or other prevented from enhances media freedom and freedom getting their information out. It involves of expression. This has been pointed straight forward censorship such as out accordingly through the descriptive a banning, a gagging order, order for terms ‘threatening legislation and excisions, preventing the publication ‘positive legislation’. The statistic given of information through legislative is for the number of incidents reported restrictions, e.g. public officials or the under this category, as opposed to the courts, and interdicts, court orders or civil number of media workers or media litigation resulting in the suppression of organisations involved. information. It also involves a publication or broadcaster or programme being shut Sentenced - This is when a judgement down or suspended, as well as incidents is handed down against a media worker where equipment and/or materials are involving either a prison term or a fine. confiscated. The statistic given is for The statistic given is for the number of the number of media workers or media media workers involved. organisations involved.

12 So This is Democracy • 2011 Threatened - This involves a threat member of the public, a general curb from a public official, a death threat, on free speech, parliamentary speech various forms of harassment (such as or access to information (e.g. matters veiled warnings, threats of action, or involving the internet, pornography, interference in editorial processes), hate speech, political speech), a violation or journalists being questioned or of the right to freedom of assembly and interrogated on their sources. The protest, or an incident relating to artistic statistic given is for the number of media or academic freedom. Incidents involving workers or media organisations involved. the media, which do fall under this category, involve that of media pluralism Victory - This is self-explanatory in (a publication closing down because of terms of its implication for the media, financial reasons) or incidents involving but involves different types of incidents. access to the public media. The statistic Some incidents falling under this given is for the number of incidents category have immediate implications reported under this category. for individual media workers or media organisations (being released unconditionally, having charges dropped, winning or avoiding civil litigation, overturning gagging orders and acquittal on criminal charges), while others have broad implications that advance media freedom, access to information or freedom of expression in general (favourable policy statements from public officials, the adoption of media- friendly laws or policies, favourable and precedent-setting court judgements, and favourable procedures and decisions by statutory or other bodies dealing with matters of media content or freedom of expression). The statistics given is for the number of incidents reported under this category.

Other - These are incidents which do not necessarily involve the media, but which affect aspects of freedom of expression or speech in general. These can involve cases of sedition against a

So This is Democracy • 2011 13 Regional By Levi Kabwato Specialist: Media Freedom Overview Monitoring and Research, Misa Regional Secretariat

14 So This is Democracy • 2011 Introduction Democracy, Constitutionalism and Media Freedom The November 2011 passing of the Protection of Information Bill (POIB) in In a way, debates in South Africa South Africa aptly captures the state of show the challenges facing all democra- media freedom in southern Africa dur- cies in the region, especially when tested ing the year under review. Contempo- against the claim that democracy is a rary experience in the region shows that prerequisite to development. Throughout governments, including those deemed to the region, this is the accepted discourse; be progressive – like South Africa – are that development goes hand-in-hand increasingly becoming secretive, hinder- with democracy and the two cannot be ing access to information and expressing separated. In fact, most – if not all – me- more fervent desire to exercise political dia in the region have organised them- oversight of the media. selves around this idea, whether state- The regional symbolism of the POIB owned or private. Hence, any attempts development, which comes against the to restrict media freedom or narrow the backdrop of a proposal by the ruling spaces of freedom of expression, when (South Africa) African National Con- they are made apparent, are always ana- gress (ANC) to institute a Media Appeals lysed within the context of their nega- Tribunal (MAT), is not impotent. As was tive impact on development. highlighted on these pages in the 2010 In Southern Africa all countries are, report, “threats and harassment of media supposedly, guided by their own Consti- workers in South Africa [are] particularly tutions. The idea of Constitutionalism, damaging and [resonate] far beyond [the therefore, promotes the rule of law and country as it is] a leading economic and prevents the governing authority from political force in the region as a whole.” doing as it pleases, acting against the The concern, therefore, is that “what public interest and liberty by failing to happens in South Africa is easily a jus- observe the limitations of the law. tification for similar policies and actions While most of the countries in the in other countries in the region and else- region have had successful transitions where.” Hence, with a policy conference from single-party to multi-party systems coming in 2012, followed by an elective of government, holding periodic elec- conference in the same year, how the tions and setting up various institutions ANC defends its MAT proposal and also that seek to promote and defend human respond to the public’s criticisms of the rights, key concerns remain around the POIB will be of key interest. practice of patronage politics within these countries. This, unfortunately, has made these democracies somewhat fragile.

So This is Democracy • 2011 15 But, the fragility of any democracy This activity is consistent with Article – certainly in the case of Southern Af- 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of rica – is also as a result of severe weak- Human Rights which reads; “Everyone nesses within other democratic institu- has the right to freedom of opinion and tions such as the judiciary, legislative expression; this right includes freedom assemblies, opposition political parties, to hold opinions without interference civil society organisations and the media, and to seek, receive and impart informa- whether state-owned, public or private. tion and ideas through any media and Such weaknesses have, for instance, regardless of frontiers.” allowed some governments to disrespect In practice, however, and as we show the rule of law with reckless abandon. in this report, that is not always a univer- Consequently, the work of the me- sal truth. Experience, certainly in South- dia in countries that do this has been ern Africa, shows that most government profoundly affected as evidenced by, officials, especially the political appoin- amongst other tactics, arbitrary arrests, tees and their ruling party functionaries detentions without trial and the insti- tend to desire media coverage that is gation of lawsuits that have the clear flattering and react with anger to criti- objective of bankrupting targeted media cism or exposures of how they are failing organisations and have them focus their to deliver on their set mandates. energies elsewhere outside their core Indeed, the whole idea of seeking, re- business. It does not help either that cer- ceiving and imparting information is be- tain judiciaries and legislatures in the re- coming even more complex as efforts to gion appear to be in cold complicit with block free access to public information repressive regimes targeting the media. are becoming systematic and deeply embedded in the way governments conduct Role of the media themselves. Yet, access to and freedom of information is a prerequisite to devel- For the above reason, it has become opment and the sustainability of democ- a continuous need to define the role of racy as it promotes good governance and the media in a democracy. As the age-old the protection of the public. maxims go: information is power and in- Hence, any attempts to hinder access formed citizens make informed choices. to and freedom of information represent If these are true – and they are very true a devastating blow to democratic culture – it means that every democracy needs and stunts growth and development in a free, independent and diverse media any country because citizens are denied to facilitate the various interactions of their right and power to actively par- citizens as well as capture their own ticipate in national processes. Therefore, national aspirations, hopes and dreams the intrinsic relationship between the by productively promoting vibrant and democratisation project and advance- robust debate on development-related ment of media freedom, of which the issues. promotion of access to information is an

16 So This is Democracy • 2011 integral part, can only be ignored at own Overall, the year under review has re- peril by the media themselves, but more corded some positive and very encourag- critically, the citizenry. ing success on the campaign for access to and freedom of information. Some of Freedom of Information these successes are, the widespread celebrations marking the 20th anniversary The Zambian government announced of the Windhoek Declaration (1991), the in November 2011, just one day after passing into law of five additional access parliament in South Africa voted for to information (ATI) laws on the conti- the POIB that it was committed to en- nent (bringing the total number to 10), acting and implementing a Freedom of the organisation of the largest gathering Information Bill. Botswana, similarly, has of ATI experts on the continent at the shown a willingness to enact a Freedom Pan African Conference on Access to In- of Information law, and a parliamentary formation (PACAI), and the signing and meeting held in November 2011 greeted adoption of the first African Declaration a proposed draft by opposition Mem- on Access to Information (APAI) in Sep- ber of Parliament, Honorable Dumelang tember 2011. Saleshando with enthusiasm. The Bill has At an International level, the United been gazetted and will be considered by Nations Human Rights Committee, in Parliament in the first quarter of 2012. July 2011, adopted General Comment 34, To some extent, Namibia has also detailing its interpretation of govern- shown some developments with regard ments’ obligations to protect freedom of to promoting access to information and opinion and expression, as guaranteed a Statistics Bill is expected to come into by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration full force in 2012, in addition to a Uni- of Human Rights. It stated that access to versal Access and Service in Electronic information is a human right. Communications Bill. The Statistics Bill The burden now lies upon southern is expected to provide greater public African governments to prove that they access to national statistics, whilst the are not only committed to protecting Communications Bill should provide for freedom of opinion and expression but more equal access to Information Com- also willing to promote access to infor- munication Technologies (ICTs) amongst mation as a prerequisite to development. Namibian citizens. Of course, there will be more to be Media Law Reform done in ensuring that these laws, if passed, will not only give access to se- The glimmer of hope presented by lected types of information that may be Zambia, Botswana and Namibia should, deemed harmless but grant full access one hopes, be deeply instructive to those to all information that is in the public countries that are still unwilling to put in interest. place legislation that promotes access to

So This is Democracy • 2011 17 information. Zimbabwe, for example, has In Lesotho alone, one newspaper – the an Access to Information and Protection Lesotho Times – is currently facing more of Privacy Act (AIPPA), yet that piece of than a dozen defamation lawsuits based legislation comes nowhere close to living on some of the archaic laws cited above. up to its name. Rather, it has been used The same scenario obtains also in Tanza- to prevent journalists from freely execut- nia where a significant number of jour- ing their duties. And, while Angola has nalists and media houses are answering a freedom of information law, this piece to criminal defamation charges. of legislation is so weighed down by In this regard, the SADC media re- the rigmarole of bureaucracy that it be- form agenda remains a complex but comes ineffective and defeats the point necessary pursuit and must be under- of its existence. taken in the spirit of the 1991 Windhoek In Lesotho, also, journalists are still Declaration and espousing the ideals of constrained by a number of archaic laws promoting independent and pluralistic that pose significant threats to media media in the region. freedom and freedom of expression. These include; the Obscene Publications Freedom of Expression in Proclamation Act (1912), Sedition Proc- Cyberspace lamation Act (1938), Official Secrets Act (1967), Internal Security Act (1984) and In the aftermath of the Arab Spring the Emergency Powers Order (1988). and the evident power of social media And, Section 46 of the Penal Code in such as Facebook and Twitter as critical Malawi, which empowers a cabinet min- tools for mobilisation, southern African ister to ban any publication deemed not governments are slowly awakening to to be in the public interest – as defined the power of the Internet and may be by the minister – is also seen as standing prepared to restrict freedom of expres- in the way of media freedom. Although sion in cyberspace. this law has since been sent for review by Two cases in Zimbabwe and Swazi- a law commission, deteriorating demo- land reveal a very disturbing trend of how cratic culture in Malawi paints bleak in the Internet and the applications em- prospects of this law ever being done bedded within it are understood by these away with, let alone reformed. governments. The 16 March 2011 arrest It is the case within the legal frame- of Zimbabwean, Vikazi Mavhudzi for ex- works of all southern African countries pressing his approval through a Facebook that there exist laws that have broad posting of citizens’ uprisings in Egypt clauses which can be used to criminalise proves, on the part of the Zimbabwe gov- the practice of journalism. Criminal def- ernment, a profound lack of understand- amation and insult laws are increasingly ing of the nature of the Internet but more being used to target journalists and me- menacingly, a fervent desire to close the dia houses in clear attempts to prevent democratic cyberspace as much as it has them from doing their work properly. done to the physical spaces in Zimbabwe.

18 So This is Democracy • 2011 Mavhudzi was arrested for allegedly gies. Social media are only but a com- “subverting a constitutional govern- ponent of the possibilities available to ment” following comments he posted on those who can access such technology. a Facebook page belonging to Zimbabwe Hence, freedom of expression in cyber- Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai who space will have to be vigorously defend- is sharing power with president Robert ed in a manner that is consistent with all Mugabe. He was repeatedly denied bail rights and responsibilities. since his arrest, only being freed of these charges on 20 September 2011 after the The future of media repression prosecution failed to produce evidence against him. Although no deaths of journalists In Swaziland, the government issued occurred as a direct result of media free- stern threats to all citizens who were dom violations, the environment across using Facebook to air out their con- southern Africa remained dangerous. We cerns regarding the way they were be- report, in this book, incidents of journal- ing governed. On March 25 2011, Prime ists who have been physically and ver- Minister Dr. Barnabas Dlamini gave his bally assaulted in the course of doing assurance to Senators in Parliament that their work. his government would hunt down, ar- We report also, on the unlawful arrest and prosecute a citizen by the name rests that have been suffered by various of Gangadza Masilela who was said to journalists as they simply try to earnestly be highly critical of the regime of King seek out information and report what is Mswati III. happening in the societies they live in. The attitude towards Masilela – or Most of these arrests have occurred un- those with a similar stance – is a clear vi- der criminal defamation and insult laws, olation of the right to freedom of expres- as highlighted earlier. sion as guaranteed and protected under As the strategies of beating journal- Section 24 of the Swaziland Constitu- ists to a pulp, kidnapping or killing them tion. The threat from the Swazi govern- or bombing printing presses lose their ment, coming as it did ahead of the April appeal, the future of media repression 12, 2011 mass demonstrations, shows a will rely greatly on the threat of legal ac- regime that wants to be immune from tion against a journalist or media house. criticism and also one that is reluctant to And, as long as the media law reform engage with its citizens directly on issues agenda is held back, the more repressive that affect them. governments will use outdated laws and As the infrastructure for telecommu- the inherent colonial instruments of re- nications improves, accompanied by the pression that come with such, to restrict full roll out of Third and Fourth Genera- media freedom and media growth in the tion (3G and 4G) networks in Southern region. Africa, more and more citizens are going It is critical, however, to remain to harness the power of these technolo- mindful that when laws are ‘reformed’

So This is Democracy • 2011 19 they do not re-appear with clauses that However, the creation of such dis- seek to still exercise political oversight tance must not be read as weakness or of the media under the guise of pro- the satisfaction of the political voices tecting “national security” or promoting that have criticized the current arrange- “national sovereignty”. It is, therefore, ment. Rather, it should be the result of important to always demand a “pub- critical introspection by regional media lic interest” clause in such laws so that that is informed by a greater desire to it is made clear that such laws stand to protect democracy, advance and protect benefit ordinary citizens and not specific their own freedom as well as freedom of political or commercial interests. expression on the part of all those who engage and interact with the diverse Who shall watch the products produced by media organisa- watchdogs? tions. On the other hand, political oversight of the media is undesirable, as has Looking ahead, the long-standing been recorded in previous reports, and question of how the media are regulated efforts towards such must be resisted. will, yet again, have to be given prominence. While self-regulatory bodies exist Sticking Issues throughout the region and new ones are being launched in countries that did not Digital migration remains a key con- have any, the whole idea of media regu- cern throughout the region. While sev- lating themselves has come under strict eral governments, for example South scrutiny by SADC governments, more re- Africa and Botswana have insisted they cently in South Africa. will be able to meet the set deadlines of What is clear in the year under re- the International Telecommunications view is that within the self-regulatory Union (2015) to complete digital migra- framework, those who sit in Media/Press tion, hope remains dim that Southern Councils/Tribunals will have to create Africa will satisfactorily meet this dead- some critical distance between them- line. SADC governments themselves had selves and the media they regulate in committed to a 2013 deadline but it ap- order to gain confidence from both the pears highly unlikely, given the policy public and those who criticize them, implementation stalls and lack of clear mostly politicians. The self-regulatory technical direction that are accompany- image currently being portrayed by vari- ing this vital process. ous Media/Press Councils/Tribunals in The glacial pace at which reforms the region is that they are closely-linked, in the broadcast sector are occurring is if not part of, the media institutions they also cause for concern. With elections watch over and therefore cannot inspire and noticeable political contests loom- public confidence because of the ques- ing in several countries in the years tion marks placed on their credibility ahead, more effort will have to be made given these seemingly intrinsic links. by countries such as Zimbabwe to fight

20 So This is Democracy • 2011 for the freeing of the airwaves and the acceptable constitution of broadcasting Portuguese authorities in those countries. MISA remains committed to fighting for diver- Version sity and pluralism in the broadcast sector as such media and radio and television Introdução provide useful media for access to information. A Nota de Informação de Proteção In 2012, there will not be an Inter- (POIB) passada em Novembro de 2011 na national Broadcasting Day for Children. Africa do Sul captura apropriadamente How children are reported in the media, o estado da mídia na Africa Austral how their rights are covered and protect- durante o ano em revista. Experiencia ed and the extent to which they are given contemporânea na região mostra que platforms to manufacture their own me- governos, incluindo aqueles julgados dia will have to be given premium in the em serem progressivos – como a Africa year ahead. Special considerations will do Sul – tornando-se crescentemente also have to be made on the interactions reservados, retardando o acesso a in- children are having with technology and formação e exprimindo desejo mais fer- the future patterns and trends that are vente para exercitar supervisão política emerging on the consumption of me- da mídia. dia and information generation. MISA O simbolismo da regiao do desen- encourages all SADC media to still pay volvimento da POIB, que vem contra o close attention to children and also to que esta por de traz da proposta feita act more in awarding children access to pelo dominante African National Con- the media so that they can be able shape gress (Africa do Sul) instituir um Apelo debates and discussions around their de Tribunal da Midia (MAT), não e im- own experiences, hopes and dreams. potente. Tal como foi destacado nestas paginas no relatório de 2010, ‘ameacas e tormento dos trabalhadores de mídia na África do Sul danificam particularmente é (ressoante) uma liderança economica e forca política (tal como pais esta) dentro da região como um todo’. O interesse, portanto, e que “o que acontece na Africa do Sul e facilmente uma justificação para directrizes e acções semelhantes em outros países da região e em outras partes.” Conseqüentemente, com uma conferencia directriz vindo em 2012 , seguida por uma conferencia electiva no mesmo ano , como o ANC

So This is Democracy • 2011 21 defende a sua proposta MAT e também eleições periódicas e assentamento de responde censuras do publico do POIB, varias instituições que procuram pro- será interesse chave. mover e defender direitos humanos, soluções chaves permanecem em volta Democracia, da practica de políticas patronadas den- Constitucionalismo e tro dos países. Isto, infelizmente, tornou Liberdade de Imprensa essas democracias um pouco frágeis. Mas, a fragilidade de qualquer de- De uma maneira, debates na Africa mocracia – certamente do caso da África do Sul mostram os desafios que todos Austral – é também resultado de fraquez- os regimes políticos encaram na região, as ásperas dentro de outras instituições especialmente quando testados contra democráticas tais como jurisdição, as- a pretensão de que a democracia e um sembléias legislativas, partidos políticos pré-requisito para o desenvolvimento. de oposição, sociedades de organizações Do começo ao fim da região, este e o dis- civis e a imprensa, tanto pertencentes ao curso aceite, que o desenvolvimento vai estado como privada. de mãos dadas com a democracia e am- Tais fraquezas tem, por instancia, bos não podem ser separados. De facto, permitido alguns governos desrespeitar maior parte –se não toda –a mídia na a regra da lei com abandono de nigligen- regiao tem se organizado por si em volta cia. Consequentemente, o trabalho da desta idea, tanto pertencente ao estado mídia foi profundamente afectado em como privado. Por isso, quaisquer tenta- países que fazem isto como evidencia de tivas de limitar a liberdade de imprensa que, dentre outras tácticas, apreencoes ou estreitar o espaço da liberdade de arbitrais, detenções sem julgamento e expressão, quando feitas evidentes, são instigações de accao judicial que tem o sempre analisadas dentro do contexto objectivo claro de levar a falencia or- do seu impacto negativo ao desenvolvi- ganizacoes de midia como alvo e te-las a mento. focar suas energias em outras partes fora Na Africa Austral todos paises sao, su- dos seus centros de ocupacao. Tambem postamente, guiados pelas suas próprias não ajuda que certas jurisdicoes e leg- constituições. A Idea de constitucional- islaturas na regiao aparecam estar em ismo, portanto, promove a regra de lei e cumplicidade de calafrio com regimes impede autoridade governativa de fazer repressivos tendo a midia como alvo. como quizer, agindo contra o interesse publico e sua liberdade por deficiência a Função da mídia observar as limitações da lei. Enquanto que maior parte dos paises Pela razão acima mencionada, torna regiao tenham tido transições bem nou-se uma necessidade continua para sucedidas de sistemas de governo par- definir a função da mídia na democracia. tido unico para multi partidários, tendo Como diz o velho adágio: informação

22 So This is Democracy • 2011 é poder e cidadãos informados fazem desenvolvimento e a sustentabilidade escolhas informadas. Se essas são ver- da democracia visto que promove bom dades – e são muito verdades – isso sig- domínio e projecção do publico. nifica que toda democracia precisa de Conseqüentemente, qualquer tenta- uma mídia livre, independente e diversa tiva a impedir o acesso e a liberdade de para facilitar as varias interações dos informação representa um golpe devas- cidadãos bem como também capturar tador a cultura democrática e retarda- suas inspirações nacionais, esperanças e mento ao crescimento e desenvolvimen- sonhos através de promover produtiva- to em qualquer pais porque os cidadãos mente debates vibrantes e fortes no de- são negados oa seus direitos e poder senvolvimento de assuntos relacionados. para ativamente participar em processos Esta atividade e compatível com o nacionais. Portanto, o relacionamento Artigo 19 de 1948 da Deflação Univer- inerente entre o projeto de democrati- sal dos Direitos Humanos que diz; “Cada zação avanço da liberdade de imprensa, um tem o direito a liberdade de opinião e do qual a promoção de acesso a infor- expressão, esse direito inclui a liberdade mação e uma parte integra, só pode ser para apegar-se a opiniões sem interfer- ignorada a seu próprio risco pelos próp- ência e busca , receber e conceder infor- rios mídias, mas mais criticamente , os mação e idéias através de qualquer mídia cidadãos colectivamente. e sem considerações de fronteiras.” Entretanto, na prática, e tal como Liberdade de informação mostramos neste relatório, que não é sempre uma verdade total. A experiência, O governo da Zâmbia anunciou em certamente na África Austral, mostra Novembro de 2011, logo um dia depois que maior parte dos oficiais dos gover- do parlamento na África do Sul ter vota- nos, especialmente os nomeados políti- do a favor do POIB que estava confiado cos e seus funcionários do partido no em decretar e implementar uma Nota de poder tendem a desejar a cobertura da Informação de Liberdade. Botsuana, se- mídia que e agradável e reage com fúria melhantemente mostrou calorosamente a censura ou exposições de como falham o desejo de decretar uma Liberdade de em libertar seus conjuntos de mandato. Lei de Informação, e um encontro par- De facto, toda Idea de busca, recep- lamentar aderido em Novembro de 2011 ção e concessão de informação torna-se endereçou um esboço proposto pelo ainda mais complexa visto que esforços Membro opositor do Parlamento, Ilustre de bloquear acesso livre a informação Dumelang Saleshando com entusiasmo. ao publico torna-se sistemático e pro- A Nota foi publicada e será ponderada fundamente fixado de maneira que os pelo Parlamento na primeira quarta governos se conduzam por si mesmo. parte de 2012. Ate agora, o acesso a e liberdade de Ate um certo grau, a Namíbia mos- informação e um pré-requisito para o trou também algum desenvolvimento no

So This is Democracy • 2011 23 que diz respeito a promoção de acesso interpretações das obrigações dos gov- a informação e uma Nota de Estatística ernos para proteger a liberdade de opin- aguarda-se a chegar com forca integra ião e expressão , como foi garantido pelo em 2012, somando ao Acesso Universal Artigo 19 da Declaração Universal dos e Serviço na Nota Eletrônica de Comu- Direitos Humanos. Este artigo declarou nicações. Da Nota de Estatística espera- que acesso a Informação e um direito se o fornecimento de grande acesso humano. do publico as estatísticas nacionais, A carga fica agora sobre os governos enquanto que a Nota de Comunicações da África Austral provar que não estão deveria fornecer igual acesso a Tecnolo- somente confiados a proteger liberdade gias de comunicação e Informação (ICTs) de opinião e expressão mas também de- entre os cidadãos nacionais. sejam promover o acesso a informação Claro, muito ainda tem de se fazer como pré-requisito para o desenvolvi- para assegurar que essas leis, se forem mento. passadas, não darão apenas acesso a tipos de informações selecionadas que Reforma da Lei de Imprensa podem ser julgadas inofensivas mas que deiam acesso completo a toda informa- A vislumbre de esperança apre- cao que e de interesse publico. sentada pela Zâmbia, o Botsuana, e a Alem de tudo, o ano em revista regis- Namíbia deve, como se espera, que seja trou algum sucesso positivo e animante aprofundadamente instrutiva para aque- na campanha para o acesso e liberdade les países que ainda não querem colocar de informação. Alguns desses sucessos legislação que promove acesso a infor- são, celebrações difundidas que mar- mação. O Zimbábue, por exemplo, tem cam o 20 – Aniversario da Declaração de Acesso a Informação e Acta de Protecção Windhoek (1991), a passagem para leis de Privacidade (AIPPA), ainda assim esse de 5 das admissões adicionais para in- pedaço de legislação não se aproxima formação (ATI) leis no continente ( sen- ao ponto do seu nome. Antes, foi usada do o numero total de 10), a organização para evitar que jornalistas livremente do maior ajuntamento de especialistas executem seus deveres. E, enquanto que da ATI no continente na Conferencia Angola tem uma liberdade de Lei de In- Pan Africana sobre Acesso a Informação formação, esse pedaço de legislação não (PACAL), e a assinatura e adoção da e considerado pelo palavrório de buro- Primeira declaração Africana sobre o cracia de maneira a ficar sem efeito e Acesso a Informação (APA) em Setembro vence o ponto de sua existência. de 2011. No Lesoto, também, jornalistas ainda O Comitê das Nações Unidas para são esforçados por um numero de leis os Direitos Humanos, a um Nível Inter- arcaicas que colocam ameaças signifi- nacional em Julho de 2011, adotou o cantes a liberdade de imprensa e liber- Comentário Geral 34, detalhando suas dade de expressão. Isso inclui, a Acta de

24 So This is Democracy • 2011 Proclamação de Publicações Obscenas mas uma busca necessária e tem de ser (1912), a Acta de Proclamação de Sedição empreendida no espírito da Declaração (1938), a Acta de Segredos Oficial (1967), de Windhoek 1991 e expor os ideais de a Acta de Segurança Interna (1948) e a promover imprensa independente e Ordem de Poderes de Emergência (1988). múltipla na região.

E, a Secção 46 do Código Penal no Liberdade de Expressão no Malaui, que autoriza um conselho de Espaço Cibernético ministros a proibir qualquer publicação considerada não ser do interesse publico Na conseqüência do Arab Spring e – tal como e definido pelo ministro – e a evidente capacidade da mídia social também vista num estado de espera a tal como o Facebook e o Twitter como caminho de liberdade de imprensa. Em- instrumentos críticos para mobilização, bora essa lei tenha sido mandada para os governos da África austral despertam ser revista pela comissão de lei, culturas – se vagarosamente a capacidade da democráticas em depreciação no Malaui Internet e pode ser preparada para limi- descrevem baixas perspectivas dessa lei tar a liberdade de expressão no espaço a ser sempre removida, permitindo cor- cibernético. reção solitária. Dois casos no Zimbábue e na Sua- E o caso dentro das estruturas legais zilândia revelam uma grande tendên- de todos países da África Austral que cia perturbante de como pela internet haja leis que tenham clausulas amplas e dispositivos mergulhados dentro dela que podem ser usadas para criminalizar a são compreendidos pelos governos. A práctica do jornalismo. Difamação crimi- apreensão de 16 de Marco de 2011 do nal e insultos de lei são crescentemente Zimbabuano, Vikazi Mavhudzi por ter usadas para atingir como alvo jornalis- expressado seu consentimento através tas e habitações da mídia em tentativas de ter colocado no Facebook das revol- claras para impedi – las de funcionarem tas dos cidadãos no Egito prova, da parte propriamente. Somente no Lesoto, um do governo do Zimbábue, uma falta jornal – O Lesotho Times - esta nesse profunda de entendimento da natureza momento encarando mais de uma doze da Internet mas mais ameacadamente , de processo de difamação fundamenta- o desejo fervente para fechar o espaço dos em algumas das leis arcaicas acima cibernético democrático tanto quanto citadas. O mesmo cenário alcançou tenha feito aos espaços físicos no Zim- também a Tanzânia onde um numero bábue. considerado de jornalistas e habitações Mavhudzi foi capturado por ale- de mídia respondem a custodias de gadamente ‘’subverter um governo con- difamação criminal. stitucional” depois de comentários ele A respeito disto, a agenda de reforma colocou na pagina do Facebook perten- de imprensa permanece um complexo cente ao Primeiro Ministro do Zimbábue,

So This is Democracy • 2011 25 Morgan Tsvangirai que partilha poder isso, liberdade de expressão no espaço com o presidente Robert Mugabe. Ele cibernético terá de ser vigorosamente foi freqüentemente negado fiança desde defendida de uma maneira que seja sua detenção, somente sendo liberto de consistente com todos direitos e respon- sua custodia aos 20 de Setembro de 2011 sabilidades. depois da prossecucao ter falhado para produzir evidencia contra ele. O future da repreensão de Na Swazilandia, o governo emitiu imprensa ameaças severas a todos cidadãos que usavam Facebook para remover suas in- Embora não ocorreram mortes de quietações a respeito da maneira em que jornalistas como resultado de violações eram governadas. Em Marco 25 2011, o de liberdade de imprensa, os arredores da Primeiro Ministro Dr. Barnabas Dlamini África Austral continuam perigosos. Nos deu sua garantia aos Senadores no Parla- informamos, nesse livro, ocorrências de mento que o seu governo buscaria, cap- jornalistas que foram fisicamente e bru- turaria e daria seguimento a um cidadão talmente assaltados no decurso de seu de nome Gangadza Masilela que e dito trabalho. ser altamente critico do regime do Rei Informamos também, sobre as Mswati III. apreensões ilegais sofridas por vários Atitude com respeito a Masilela – ou jornalistas que simplesmente com se- aqueles com ponto de vista semelhante riedade tentam buscar informações e – e uma violação clara do direito a liber- relatam o que estiver acontecer em so- dade de expressão como garantido e pro- ciedades nas quais eles vivem. Maior tegido sob a sessão 24 da Constituição parte dessas apreensões tem ocorrido da Suazilândia. A ameaça do governo sob difamação criminal e leis de insulto , Swazi, vinda tal como vinha adiante das tal como foi antes destacado. demonstrações em massa de Abril 12, Como estratégias de obter jornalis- 2011, mostra um regime que quer ficar tas a polpa, rapta - los ou matando – os imune do criticismo e também alguém ou bombardear imprensas perdem seu que esteja reluctante para empenhar-se apelo, o futuro da apreensão da mídia com seus cidadãos directamente em as- grandemente dependera de ameaça de suntos que os afectam. acção legal contra um jornalista ou casa Como as infrastruturas para teleco- de imprensa. E, quanto mais a agenda de municações melhoram, acompanhados reforma de lei de imprensa for travada, pelo rolo completo sobre redes da Ter- mais governos repreensivos hão de usar ceira e Quarta Geração (3G e 4G) , mais e leis antiquadas e instrumentos coloniais mais cidadãos vão aproveitar a capaci- inerentes da apreensão que vem como dade dessas tecnologias. A Mídia Social tal, limitar liberdade de imprensa e seu não e só mas um componente de pos- crescimento na região. sibilidades disponíveis para aqueles que E critico entretanto, continuar aten- podem ter acesso a tal tecnologia. Por tos de que quando as leis são “ refor-

26 So This is Democracy • 2011 madas” não re-aparecem com clausulas dade dada essas ligações aparentemente que procuram ainda exercitar supervisão intrínsecas. política de imprensa sob maneira de pro- Entretanto, a criação dessa distancia teger “ segurança nacional” ou promover não tem de ser lida como fraqueza ou “soberania nacional”. Portanto, e sempre satisfação de vozes políticas que cen- importante exigir uma clausula de “in- suraram o arranjo actual. Melhor ainda, teresse publico” nas tais leis para que se poderia ser o resultado de introspecção torne claro que tais leis estão ali para pela imprensa regional que informou beneficiar cidadãos ordinários e não incom grande desejo proteger a democ- teresses políticos ou comerciais. racia, dar avanço e proteger sua própria liberdade como também liberdade de Quem vigiara os cães guardas? expressão da parte daqueles todos que se engajam e interam-se com productos Olhando adiante, a questão que a diversos produzidos por organizações muito tempo permanece em pe de como de imprensa. Por outro lado, super- a imprensa será regulada, ainda assim, visão política da imprensa não e dese- tem de ser dada proeminência. Os cor- jável, como se registrou em relatórios pos auto – regulatórios existem em toda anteriores,e esforços para tal tem de ser parte da região e novos estão a ser lança- resistidos. dos em países que não tinham nenhum, na sua totalidade a Idea da imprensa Assuntos ainda impedidos regular – se por si veio sob escrutínio rigoroso pelos governos da SADC, mais Migração digital continua uma recentemente na África do Sul. preocupação principal em toda região. O que esta claro no ano em revista Enquanto vários governos, por exemplo e que dentro da estrutura auto – regu- a África do Sul, e o Botwana concord- latória, aqueles que sentam–se em Mí- aram em cumprir com as datas limite dia/Imprensa Conselhos/Tribunais terão da União Internacional de Telecomu- de criar alguma distancia critica entre nicações (2015) para completar a mi- eles e a imprensa que eles regulam a gração digital, a esperança continua fim de que possam ganhar confiança escura para África do Sul cumprir satis- tanto do publico como daqueles que os fatoriamente esta data limite. Os gover- criticam, principalmente os políticos. nos da SADC comprometeram-se a data A imagem Auto – Regulatória que e de limite 2013 mas pelo que tudo indica ha momento descrita por varias Mídia/Im- impossibilidade, dada pequena área de prensa Conselhos/Tribunais na região e implementação de política e falta de di- que estão muito ligados, se assim não recção clara técnica que acompanham for, então uma parte,as instituições de esse processo vital. imprensa vigiam e portanto não podem O período glacial em que as refor- inspirar confiança ao publico por causa mas no sector de difusão estão a ocorrer das perguntas colocadas na sua credibili- e também uma razão de preocupação.

So This is Democracy • 2011 27 Com as eleições e tentativas políticas no- acesso a imprensa de maneiras que se- táveis que desagradavelmente estão por jam capazes de desenvolver carácter de vir nos próximos anos em vários países, debates e discussões em volta de sua mais esforços terão de ser envidados por próprias experiências, esperanças e son- países tal como o Zimbábue lutar a favor hos. de ondas de radio e constituição aceitáv- el de autoridades de difusão nos países. A MISA continua comprometida a lutar a favor da diversidade e pluralismo no sector de difusão porque tal mídia e radio e televisão fornece imprensa útil ao acesso de informação. Special considerations will also have to be made on the interactions children are having with technology and the future patterns and trends that are emerging on the consumption of media and information generation. MISA encourages all SADC media to still pay close attention to children and also to act more in awarding children access to the media so that they can be able shape debates and discussions around their own experiences, hopes and dreams. Em 2012, não haverá nenhum Dia Internacional de Transmissão para as cri- anças. Como as crianças são relatadas na mídia, a maneira de como os seus direitos são tratados e protegidos e o nível de plataforma que lhes e dado para produzir sua própria imprensa terão de ser dados um montante alem do habitual no próx- imo ano. Considerações especiais devem também ser feitas nas internações que as crianças tem com a tecnologia e os padrões futuros e as mudanças que emergem no consumir a imprensa e ger- ação de informação. A MISA encoraja toda imprensa da SADC dar as crianças ainda mais atenção e mais chances de

28 So This is Democracy • 2011 National By Candido Teixeira Editor Jornal de Angola and Overview Assistant Secretary General Angola of the Union of Angolan 2011 Journalists.

So This is Democracy • 2011 29 Angola

Introduction sade against media that are seen as anti- establishment and against certain key The year 2011 marked the consolida- political interest and therefore threats to tion of state secrecy and restrictions on selected powerful political interests. media freedom and freedom of expression One such publication is A Capital, a in Angola. In response, it is also a year in weekly newspaper that is almost com- which the Angolan public showed greater pulsively bought by many Angolans be- desire to use alternative – and more dem- cause of its investigative journalism and ocratic – sources of communication in or- credibility. Several attempts have been der to seek objective information. made by people with known connections Reporting on the activities of govern- to the ruling elite to shut the newspaper ment and the ruling party, the Popular down, or at least prevent it from pub- Movement for the Liberation of Angola lishing certain stories, but these have (MPLA) became cumbersome and signifi- all remarkably failed. At one point, the cant pressure was also put on independ- newspaper published six blank pages af- ent media to toe certain editorial lines ter the content of those pages had been that are not consistent with the ideals heavily censored. There are times when they espouse. At some point, there ap- editorial pages have also gone to press peared to be a general recognition of all blank. While this act is symbolic within media players, private and public, as pres- the media, the office of the Attorney- idential and government press confer- General ironically criticised the newspa- ences and events attracted diverse jour- per’s owners for not fully meeting their nalists. This seems to have now stopped. obligations to inform the citizenry. However, in the year under review, A Capital embodies the resilience of most media organisations decried the independent media in Angola but also lack of transparency within state organs reflects the unwavering commitment to and made mention of the vast difficul- defend media freedom and freedom of ties that existed around access to public expression by media activists in Angola. information. Given Angola’s experiences Even outside the media-space, ordinary and history, especially most recent his- citizens have shown a resolute willing- tory, characterizing access to informa- ness to speak out against the excesses of tion is somewhat difficult. There remain the ruling elite as witnessed by the anti- significant opportunities, however, for government protests of February 2011, interaction and perhaps these can bear around the same time as the Arab Spring fruit sooner, rather than later. was at its most fervent pitch. The intensity of the anti-government Restrictions on media protests was quite unprecedented. The influence of Internet-powered social The announcement that Angola will media tools, used extensively to organ- hold parliamentary elections, scheduled ise, mobilise and share information, was for end 2012 has already ignited a cru- widespread and took the regime of presi-

30 So This is Democracy • 2011 dent Jose Eduardo dos Santos by surprise clear about their stance towards such so much that it was left with very little legislation. option than to crackdown on the pro- The role played by the Union of An- testors, a large majority of whom were golan Journalists (UAJ) in raising aware- youths. ness and fighting off the entrenchment Needless to say, journalists also suf- of repression via laws that affect media fered the pain of the crackdown but this freedom also deserves mention. Had it has become part of the everyday culture not been for this union, and the solidar- of journalism in Angola, punctuated by ity received from other progressive bod- unlawful detentions, physical assault ies, Angola would have, by now, taken and confiscation of equipment. pole position on the list of countries that The more specific episodes of such use archaic laws to clamp down on the occurrences are chilling and highlight media. the systematic attempt by the ruling Interesting developments, however, elite in Angola to curtail media freedom surround proposals to legislate the cy- and freedom of expression. An example berspace via an Internet Bill. Some of is the alleged defamation case against the sentiments from the ruling elite journalist and Managing Editor of the speak to a very strong desire for political controversial weekly publication Folha oversight of the Internet and the need 8, William Tonet who was given a sus- to punish ‘offenders’ who may use social pended sentence and fined US$100,000 media tools such as Facebook, Twitter for a 2008 story he published about and YouTube to express themselves by army generals who were said to be abus- sending messages that may be different ing their office and embezzling public from those the government and the rul- funds. Folha 8 stands out in the coverage ing party would prefer to hear. Yet, these of government and ruling party excesses social media websites remain very popu- and also seen a significant contributor to lar amongst Angolans. the protection of democracy in Angola. Freedom of Expression in Media Law Reform Cyberspace

Considerably deeper debate has been It is very clear that Angolan govern- held around the issue of media law re- ment is aware of the possibilities that form in Angola. Whenever the govern- exist in cyberspace and their potential ment has proposed new legislation, political power. For this reason, popular or amendments to existing legislation websites such as Club K and Maka An- that seek to stifle and not enable media gola, which are considered to be credible growth, debates and discussions have and independent sources of information taken place at a national level and the have come under attack from the gov- wider public, civil society organisations ernment. and the media have often been quite Club K has become well-known for

So This is Democracy • 2011 31 Angola

its unprecedented access into the op- dos Santos, at a ruling party meeting, is erations of higher echelons of power reportedly to have taken issue with the from where it publishes deep insights party ranks for failing to publicise the that are usually believed to be reflect- achievements of his government. This, he ing the thinking, lifestyles and desires of is said to have argued, would affect the the ruling elite. In February 2011, at the outcome of the parliamentary elections, height of anti-government protests, Club costing the MPLA a number of seats in K became a useful and reliable source of the House. information that countered state-media The concern, therefore, is around the propaganda. case for extensive propaganda that was It was not with much surprise, there- being made by dos Santos. How much fore, that an official in the presidency more abuse with the state-media suffer? was quoted in an article predicting a More critically, how far will the govern- “sad future” for Club K. Months later the ment be willing to go in order to silence popular site met countless interruptions the voices that may be seen as threat- of its service in what, clearly, were cyber ening the MPLA’s electoral victory? Only attacks, which eventually led to the pub- time will tell… lication being taken offline. The same experience has also been suffered by Maka Angola, another publication that is equally critical and popular with Angolans seeking alternative information about their country. Late in 2011, the site announced it would use part of received financial donations to fight the successive attacks that are targeted at it.

Conclusion

The parliamentary elections towards the end of 2012 will have the greatest influence on media freedom and freedom of expression in Angola. The trend from 2010 through 2011 shows greater commitment by politicians in power towards making the operating environment for journalists as difficult as possible. The MPLA knows that they are becoming unpopular with the masses, as evidenced by the anti-government protests. It is for this reason that president

32 So This is Democracy • 2011 Newspaper Publisher Circulation Distribution Frequency Jornal de Angola Edições Novembro 25 000 Luanda Daily Jornal dos Edições Novembro 5 000 Luanda Daily Desportos (Monday to Saturday) Expansao ScoreMedia 8 000 Luanda Weekly (Friday) O País SociJornal 10 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Novo Jornal New Media 8 000 National Weekly (Saturday) Angola, SA (with serious limitations) Semanário Media Investe SA 4 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Angolense A Capital Media Investe SA 4 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Folha 8 WT-Mundovideo 10 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Semanário Media Nova 2 000 Luanda Weekly (Friday) Económico Independente SAEP, SA 2 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Continente Casa Blanca 2 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday)

Broadcasting

At the end of 2011, the following broadcasting stations were on air.

Radio/TV Station Owner Classification Coverage TPA Angola Public service National Government TV Zimbo Media Nova Private Urban areas RNA Angola Public service National Government Radio Ecclesia Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church FM Church affiliate LAC Private FM Radio Mais Media Nova, SA Private FM Rádio 2000 Pontual, SA Private FM Continente Casa Blanca Private Weekly (Saturday)

So This is Democracy • 2011 33 Angola

imprensa, preocupados em condicionar, controlar ou até mesmo silenciar toda Portuguese e qualquer plataforma que constitua ameaça real ou potencial aos seus de- Version sígnios políticos. Entre os aspectos mais salientes do O ano de 2011 pode ter marcado a novo clima que caracteriza o exercício do consolidação de um cenário, se não de- jornalismo independente no país sobres- sesperante, pelo menos atípico em ma- sai, certamente, a dramática questão do téria de liberdade de imprensa e de ex- jornal A Capital, até recentemente uma pressão em Angola. O público angolano das publicações mais influentes e de passou a dispor de menos alternativas na cariz marcadamente crítico. Comprado incessante e justa busca por uma infor- quase compulsivamente em 2010 por mação objectiva, plural e, acima de tudo, uma até então desconhecida empresa – independente. detida por indivíduos com ligações ínti- Foi o ano em que a cobertura de ac- mas ao regime – o jornal tem passado ontecimentos ligados ao governo e ao desde então por uma série de vicissitudes partido que o sustenta tomaram uma que levaram, por exempo, à publicação dimensão nunca antes visto, ao mesmo de seis páginas em branco, cujo contempo que órgãos que se supunham teudo havia sido censurado pelos novos independentes foram sendo forçados a donos, e a não publicação de um edito- tomar um rumo diametralmente oposto rial pela mesma razão. às suas linhas editoriais, tornando-se, Em ponto de saturação ante as con- por conseguitne, doceis e acessíveis. stantes e impunes interferências da ad- Foi também o ano em que os mesmos ministração, os editores e jornalistas do órgãos privados, segundo relatos dos semanário A Capital ameaçaram demitir- próprios, sentiram dificuldades acresci- se em bloco caso não terminassem as das na obtenção de informação de claro interferências da administração da pub- interesse público. Aliás, a questão sobre licação no dia-a-dia editorial do jornal. o acesso às fontes oficiais tem tomado Entretanto, mais do que ao jornal A um rumo algo curioso, caracterizado Capital, esses factos poderão já ser con- pelo fim das conquistas verificadas logo siderados representativo do cenário ac- após o fim do conflito civil – há precisa- tual em matéria de exercício da liberdade mente uma década –, durante o qual o de imprensa e de expressão. país conheceu tímidas mas significativas Estes constituíram de certa maneira aberturas da parte de quem detem a in- os incidentes mais significativos e dram- formação. áticos que cunharam 2011 como um ano O aproximar das eleições parlamen- negro para uma efectiva imprensa inde- tares, agendadas para finais de 2012, pendente em Angola. Um ano que pro- atiçou o “modus operandi”de sectores do metia u clima mais salutar para os jor- poder numa verdadeira cruzada contra a

34 So This is Democracy • 2011 nalistas mas que foi sendo gradualmente difamação e injúria contra o jornalista e manchado pelas autoridades a nivel do director do controverso semanário Folha país. Inicialmente tida como imune à 8, William Tonet. Tonet foi condenado a febre das sublevações populares contra seis meses de pena suspensa no rescaldo poderes longevos e autocráticos no Ori- de um rocambolesco caso intentado por ente Médio e no Magrebe, Angola con- quatro proeminentes generais do exé- heceu as primeiras, ainda que bastante rcito angolano. A condenação incluía tímidas, movimentações de contestação o pagamento de US$100,000, valor re- anti-governamentais em princípios de corde na história de casos judiciais con- Fevereiro de 2011. tra jornalistas. A perspectiva de realizacao no O Folha 8 destacou-se na cobertura mês seguinte de uma manifestação de da série de manifestações anti-gover- proporções sem precedente desde a a namentais acima referidas, com suces- bertura do país à democrácia, mediante sivas matérias de capa que, no essencial, uma influência sem precedentes no uso apelavam ao respeito dos direitos fun- das redes sociais, atiçou os nervos das damentais e liberdade de expressão dos autoridades de uma forma muito pouco manifestantes, bem como a mudança de comum. A repressão policial da anuncia- atitude das autoridades para o reforço da da manifestação, que entretanto acabou democracia em Angola. por reunir um número bastante humilde Ainda no campo judicial, a comuni- de cidadãos, desencadeou vários even- cação social registou uma vitoria quan- tos em cadeia que ainda hoje se fazem do a Procuradoria Geral da República sentir. Repórteres e editores sofreram o (PGR)condenou a os novos donos do peso do bastão na medida em que as for- semanário A Capital pela censura que ças de segurança se opunham ao avanço levou a que o jornal saísse a rua com inde grupo dos jovens que clamavam por éditas seis páginas em branco. Segundo justiça social, transparência e boa gov- a PGR, os accionistas do jornal haviam ernação no seu próprio país. violado um direito consagrado constitu- A série de detenções de repórteres em cionalmente e apelavam aos mesmos a pleno uso do dever profissional trouxe à adoptar uma postura condizente. ribalta o carácter repressivo a altamente Outro avanço significativo registado violador das autoridades angolanas. Se- nos últimos tempos em matéria de aces- gundo vários relatos, registaram-se in- so a informação parece também ter sido clusive agressões físicas e apreensão de abandonado. A convocação periódica da material de trabalho. imprensa pela Presidência da Republica Como se não bastassem esses episó- para balanços do desempenho do ex- dios, outros registos vieram adensar o ecutivo constituiu um exemplo raro de clima de ataques coordenados contra transparência e libertação de informação a liberdade de imprensa e de expressão de interesse público. Outro mérito da ini- no país. Um facto altamente mediático ciativa residiu no convite até de órgãos decorreu de um processo por alegada de imprensa privados, tradicionalmente

So This is Democracy • 2011 35 Angola

preteridos e ate mesmo impedidos da registadas ao longo dos anos, sendo cer- cobertura de actos oficias que decorram to que o país assistiria a uma fase bem no palácio presidencial. mais difícil do que aquele vivido durante Este foi, entretanto, sol de pouca os duros anos de conflito civil angolano. dura. A série de conferências de imprensa Caso fosse aprovada, a referida lei deixou de ser convocada. Consequente- prometia punir com vários anos de ca- mente, o público deixou de ter acesso a deia quem ousasse fazer circular via informação útil que lhe permitia avaliar internet, ou qualquer canal electrónico, o nivel de governação. por exemplo, imagens de quem quer Vários sectores nacionais que se que fosse e que apenas precisaram rec- batem pela defesa das liberdades em lamar da violação dos seus direitos. As Angola respiraram claramente de alívio objecções a esta lei poderão encontrar quando, ao meio do ano, o parlamento explicação no facto de existir actual- angolano deu mostras de desistência na mente uma forte tendência de o público aprovação de uma denominada Lei de angolano voltar-se gradualmente para Combate à Criminalidade no Domínio das as plataformas electrónicas de acesso Tecnologias de Informação e de Comu- a informação. Sites de notícias e as re- nicação e dos Serviços da Sociedade de des sociais como o Facebook e YouTube Informação. A apresentação em si deste ganham rapidamente notoriedade e projecto para discussão gerou uma onda popularidade, assumindo-se como verde choque em toda a sociedade e des- dadeiras alternativas na partilha de in- encadeou um debate a escala nacional. formação de interesse público que não Nunca, provavelmente, se havia assistido chegam facilmente – em muitos casos a tamanha manifestação de repúdio pela não chegam de todo – aos órgãos tradi- elaboração de um tal instrumento legal. cionais. A proposta, apresentada pelo Gov- Em definitivo, estes meios constit- erno à Assembleia Nacional, recebeu uem o futuro na garantia do livre fluxo uma clara e sonora reprovação durante de informação, com já claros reflexos no os vários debates, formais e informais, presente. promovidas por organizações da socie- Entretanto, tão logo ficou claro que dade civil e nas quais a classe jornalística a muralha de revolta da sociedade para teve uma participação preponderante. com essa proposta de lei não teria per- Saliente-se o papel desempenhado pelo nas para andar, foram surgindo sinais Sindicato dos Jornalistas Angolanos de graves atentados contra algumas da (SJA), que teve um desempenho absolu- páginas de internet mais representati- tamente aglutinador e decisivo na cruza- vas, sobretudo o Club K e Maka Angola, da contra uma lei que ameaçava remeter largamente consideradas hoje como as Angola na lista de países com legislação principais fontes de informação inde- pré-histórica em matéria de liberdades pendente. no fluxo de informação. Teria, certa- O Club K notabilizou-se por possuir mente, anulado uma série de conquistas fontes na alta esfera do poder e publi-

36 So This is Democracy • 2011 car informação geral altamente actual e compra dos dois principais jornais inde- privilegiada. Foi, sem dúvidas, a principal pendentes e as investidas judiciais. fonte de informação durante o período São factos que permitem antever das manifestações anti-governamentais um cenário muito pouco salutar, sendo e das repressões que se seguiram a elas. certo que a sociedade devera continuar Notou-se nesse período a sede, a avidez a apostar na advocacia que evitem a ca- do público por informação independ- sos desta natureza, sem nunca descurar ente, actual e imparcial que a poderosa a denúncia sempre que eles sucederem. mídia estatal não fornece. Recentemente, o Presidente da Re- Na senda da publicação de um ar- publica manifestou durante um encontro tigo, um alto funcionário da presidência do seu partido descontentamento contra angolana vaticinou um “futuro triste” o que considerou de fraca divulgação das para o Club-K. Meses depois o popular actividades do Governo, apelando ao re- site conheceu inúmeras interrupções do dobrar da propaganda oficial em vista a seu serviço, alguns mais demorados que realização das próximas eleições. Seguiu- outros, tendo os seus responsáveis no- se um corrupio de movimentações que tado que o mesmo estaria a sofrer vários incluíram a convocação, para a sede do e sucessivos ataques cibernéticos que o MPLA, dos presidentes dos Conselhos forçavam a estar fora do ar. de Administração dos quatro órgãos de O mesmo tem sucedido com Maka comunicação do Estado. Segundo o site Angola, especializado em denúncias de Maka Angola, o encontro serviu para, casos de corrupção nas altas esferas do no essencial, o partido no poder trans- poder angolano. Recentemente, o site mitir “orientações” no sentido daqueles anunciou que empregaria parte de uma orgãos públicos conferir maior destaque doação financeira recebida de uma insti- às realizações do governo e exaltar-se a tuição norte-americana para mitigar os imagem do seu chefe. sucessivos ataques que originavam as Receia-se que este novo posiciona- conhecidas “negação de serviço” mento do Governo angolano condicione a objectividade no tratamento da infor- Conclusão mação e o princípio do interesse público, alem de condicionar o trabalho de outros Acredito que as movimentações para órgãos privados que, apesar de oficial- a realização das eleições no último tri- mente não serem tutelados pelo Estado, mestre de 2012 irão determinar forte- estão sob controlo de grupos de inter- mente o estado da liberdade de imprensa esses doa actual regime. no país. Isso e quase inevitável e para se chega a uma tal conclusão precisaría- mos apenas ter como referência alguns dos acontecimentos mais significativos registados em finais de 2010 e que se acentuaram em 2011, nomadamente a

So This is Democracy • 2011 37 Angola

Newspaper Publisher Circulation Distribution Frequency Jornal de Angola Edições Novembro 25 000 Luanda Daily Jornal dos Edições Novembro 5 000 Luanda Daily Desportos (Monday to Saturday) Expansao ScoreMedia 8 000 Luanda Weekly (Friday) O País SociJornal 10 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Novo Jornal New Media 8 000 National Weekly (Saturday) Angola, SA (with serious limitations) Semanário Media Investe SA 4 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Angolense A Capital Media Investe SA 4 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Folha 8 WT-Mundovideo 10 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Semanário Media Nova 2 000 Luanda Weekly (Friday) Económico Independente SAEP, SA 2 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday) Continente Casa Blanca 2 000 Luanda Weekly (Saturday)

Broadcasting

At the end of 2011, the following broadcasting stations were on air.

38 So This is Democracy • 2011 Alert army generals based in Luanda. The case Date: March 7, 2011 was then postponed to 15 June 2011. Person/ institution: Armando José Chicoca Alert Violation/ issue: Sentenced Date: July 5, 2011 A court in Angola’s southwestern prov- Person/ institution: Nelson Sul ince of Namibe sent Armando José Chic- Angola and Ismael Samalata oca, a freelancer who reports for U.S. Violation/ issue: Assaulted, government-funded broadcaster Voice threatened of America (VOA) and private Angolan Nelson Sul Angola of Angolense and newspapers such as Folha 8, Agora, and Ismael Samalata of Folha 8 told Voice O Apostolado, to prison for one year on of America that provincial governor the 4th of March 2011. He was sentensed Faustino Muteka assaulted them while without due process over his coverage of interviewing him about an ongoing in- a sexual harassment scandal in 2007 that vestigation alleging that members of the implicated the province’s top judicial of- political party incite violence and murder ficial. opposition supporters in the province of Huambo. The governor demanded that Alert they should not write anything about Date: June 2, 2011 the issue if they did not want to face any Person/ institution: Koqui Mukuta, “serious consequences.” Israel Samalata Despertar said he is considering a lawsuit against Violation/ issue: Detained the governor. On 25 May 2011, police in Angola arrested and seized working material of a Communiqué journalist, Koqui Mukuta, with popular Date: August 24, 2011 radio station “Despertar”, who was re- Person/ institution: José Lopes porting on a peaceful demonstration in Canhina the capital Luanda. Violation/ issue: Other The 31th Summit of the Heads of State Alert and SADC Government, which took place Date: June 14, 2011 in Luanda gave awards to best journal- Person/ institution: William Tonet, ists within the SADC member countries Folha 8 in 2011. Violation/ issue: Threatened, The award-winning journalists were legislated José Lopes Canhina of Angola, in radio The editor and owner of the weekly category, Mozambican Alfredo Mueche newspaper Folha 8, William Tonet ap- (photojournalism), Zimbabwean Justin peared before Angolan court on 13 June Mahlahla (press) and Namibian Steven 2011, on charges of defamation and libel Ndorokaze (television), reported Anglo- filled against him by three prominent Press.

So This is Democracy • 2011 39 Alert freedom of lawyer and journalist William Date: September 7, 2011 Tonet. They also provided bank details to Person/ institution: Alexandre which the donations should be made. Solombe and Antonio Cascais, William Tonet was sentenced to one year Violation/ issue: Assaulted in jail which was to be suspended if a On September 3, 2011, four Angolan fine of $ 100,000 was paid by Friday, 7 and foreign journalists were severely October 2011. beaten and their working material seized by police while covering a major anti-government demonstration in the Angolan capital Luanda.

Communiqué Date: September 11, 2011 Person/ institution: Luis Fernando, O País weekly Violation/ issue: Other Journalist, Luís Fernando with O País weekly won US$ 100,000 at the Ma- boque Journalism Award for 2011. The hand-over ceremony took place on Fri- day, 9 September 2011 in Luanda. Nomi- nated for the same award were, Rádio Nacional de Angola (RNA) journalist, Amílcar Xavier, and Radio Ecclesia’s Sem Duvida.A former State-owned Jornal de Angola (JA).Fernando, got the reward in absentia for his more than 20 years experience in the journalism industry.

Alert Date: October 12, 2011 Person/ institution: Association Justice Peace and Democracy (AJPD) Violation/ issue: Sentenced The Angolan civil society initiatives proposed under the Association Justice Peace and Democracy (AJPD) a campaign to collect funds to pay the fine requested by the Court of Luanda, in favor of

40 So This is Democracy • 2011 National By Thapelo Ndhlovu Overview Journalist, Media and Civil Botswana Society Activist 2011

So This is Democracy • 2011 41 Botswana

Introduction proached the courts complaining that the hospitals were understaffed as a re- The story of 2011 in Botswana is insult of the strike. complete without mentioning the un- The viewers were treated to one side precedented two months long public of the story as government literally dom- service strike. The strike provided the inated the airwaves and never broadcast populace with the opportunity to peep the point of view of the unions. This de- into itself and see how it reacts or be- feated the very Reithian conceptualisa- have while under enormous pressure. tion of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) As always the media’s role was vital and that Botswana Television (BTV) envisions pivotal. itself as. John Reith, the Scottish Lord If the idea was to rate the govern- who managed British Broadcasting Co- ment’s relations with the media during operation (BBC) at its formative years, the strike, she would most likely rate envisaged PSB principles as follows: to below average. Interestingly this would be considerate of all view points, probity, mainly arise from her relationship with universality as well as commitment to government media as opposed to the public service. private one, as one would expect. The role the state media played during the Current Overview strike could be described as embarrass- ing to say the least. The strike, therefore, was a little test To cite just a few incidents; when the for the state media to reflect on its exist- strike started, the Executive almost liter- ence as well as its relevance in as far as ally camped at state media studios. From serving the public interest is concerned. directors of departments, all the way up Questions that may arise could be: to ministers and even up to the state • Who, really, is the state media sup- president himself, it seemed occupy- posed to serve? Is it the government Wall Street had finally been exported to - as the then Department of Broad- Gaborone, just under different circum- casting Services Director, Mogomot- stances and objective this time. si Kaboeamodimo once implied? It was the minister of health, Rev- • Who, really, owns the state media? Is erend John Seakgosing who irrevently it the taxpayer or the government or announced on television that everything the president? was going well at the clinics and hospi- • Who, really, is government? is it the tals despite a whole mob of doctors and ruling party? Or the public servants nurses camping at the striking points or the people? across the country. This assertion that What is very clear from the past business was usual would prove ironic strike is that whatever the answers to but perhaps more damagingly, expose the above questions, someone at the the unashamed propaganda by the state media already had answers. It was government itself when she later ap- clear during the strike that whoever was

42 So This is Democracy • 2011 in control believed the thousands of Bat- Late in 2011, the government gazet- swana workers who were on a legal strike ted a Botswana Communication Regu- did not deserve to be heard by the rest of latory Bill, which, if adopted, would ef- the citizens. He or she also believed that fectively phase out the concept of public the 2 million people of Botswana did not service broadcasting, including commu- deserve to know about one event that nity radio. This new bill will leave state had the potential to detour their route media out of regulatory reach. A look to economic prosperity. at past and present experiences will The Botswana government and by show that state media have been used extension the ruling party has never as propaganda tools for the ruling party really allowed the state media edito- hence, to afford them a free reign, leav- rial independence. Prior to the general ing them unaccountable to any regula- strike, it was predominantly the domain tory authority is to threaten democracy of MISA-Botswana to raise alarm over itself. the overarching influence of politics in Aside from the assault by govern- the management and running of state ment, the royal family, the Kgatleng media. However, during the demonstra- royals, and in particular Kgosi Kgafela tions, new voices that came face-to-face Kgafela has also exhibited hostility to- with the arrogance of public media were wards the private media. Besides alleged added to a broad church of voices that harassment of photojournalists follow- sought fair and blanced reporting. These ing a royal court case, Kgafela was also voices came from the church and other quoted castigating the media through a civil society organisations. series of verbal tirades. This, juxtaposed Except for the usual murmurings and with his earlier attempt to sue a num- complaints, there is no recorded case ber of newspapers and the lashing at of where government attempted to dic- dramatists at his kgotla for daring to act tate the coverage in the privately-owned out a play about the culture of his tribe, media. This is commendable, despite the Kgafela and some of his subjects, could omnious existence of the Media Prac- be seen as some of the threats to media titioners Act of 2008, which demands freedom and freedom of expression that the registration of all people who prac- exist outside the political establishment. tice journalism in Botswana. Despite the one-sided and biased reporting of the Access to information state media, privately-owned media attempt to balance their coverage. For ex- Botswana still does not have a law ample, the Minister of Education at one guaranteeing access to information. point called a live phone-in programme There has however been new develop- at Gabz FM to give her own side of a sto- ment towards such a law. Having been ry that was discussing her and she was given the go-ahead to mould a private allowed to do that. member’s bill on freedom of information, Honourable Dumelang Saleshando

So This is Democracy • 2011 43 Botswana

was expected to table the bill during the ample, pitted the government of South December 2011 session of parliament. Africa against its information activists. Various stakeholders have already made Without it in the current bill would elicit their input through workshops facilitat- the same kind of backlash that the South ed by MISA-Botswana. Although mem- African government has attracted. bers of parliament have already given The motivation for access to infor- the bill a green light outside parliament, mation law is abound. In its two succes- it is their final in-session decision that sive surveys, MISA-Botswana found out matters most. that the Botswana government is either very secretive or not responsive. The 2011 The bills’s objectives are set out as thus: report was even more damning as not a (a) making available to the public, in- single department that MISA-Botswana formation about the operations of requested information from responded. It public bodies and, in particular, en- was also surprising that instead of seek- suring that the rules and practices ing opportunities for engagement with affecting members of the public in the media, the government responded by their dealings with public bodies are tightening the screws further. readily available to persons affected The following is the instruction that by those rules and practices; the Deputy Permanent Secretary and (b) creating a general right of access head of Botswana government com- to information in the possession of munication and information services public bodies, limited only by clearly (BGCIS) in the office of the president, Dr. and narrowly defined exemptions in Jeff Ramsay gave to government work- accordance with well established in- ers regarding the open and secret awards ternational standards; organised by MISA-Botswana: (c) creating a right to bring about the amendment of records containing “As the Government of Botswana personal information that is incom- does not accept the legitimacy of the plete, incorrect, misleading or not said awards, we are hereby instruct- relevant to the purpose for which ing that under no circumstance should the record is held; and any Government public relations officer (d) fostering a culture of transparency attend the said ceremony, or otherwise and accountability in public bodies accept any resulting award or undertake in order to give effect to the right of any other action that would associate access to information. Government with the said ceremony. Put simply we expect all public officers to Although some of the exceptions in boycott this event”, the bill could be open to abuse, the public can draw comfort in the public interest It must also be noted that once override clause. This is the same clause again another year has gone by without that the absence of which has, for ex- a declaration of asset and liabilities law.

44 So This is Democracy • 2011 The absence of this law compromises sity in their coverage. They need to ask any hope of transparency, and the ris- themselves why only the same people ing number of corruption cases against contribute to opinion pages. The answer members of the executive vindicate this does not lie with readers but newspapers fear. In 2011, the country’s magistrate who should always be on the look out for courts had to deal with high profile cases new ways of attracting interest. Opin- involving ministers of defence and secu- ions and analyses add enormous value rity as well as finance and development to newspapers reading and newspapers planning, both of which were eventually must strive to attract them. Some letter dismissed. It is, therefore, hereby argued writers have become de-facto column- that with more information coming out ists as a result of lack of contribution. the country would be in a good position Related to this is the tendency to print to counter corrupt practices and em- one letter in all the newspapers, even power the people to directly monitor the when editors have had enough time to situation. know it was published elsewhere. Un- less it is in the public interest or that of Development of print and the newspaper, the practice compromise broadcasting quality of news. The government Daily News remains The only new entrant in the private the most circulated print publication as print mainstream news was the Weekend it reaches most parts of the country and Post, which went on to earn itself rec- it is distributed for free. It claims to print ognition by winning the best designed 80 000 copies and none of the private newspaper at the 2011 national awards. newspapers are known to consistently Otherwise the status quo remained with print even half that mark. the same media giants in the form of The Dikgang Group (Mmegi, Monitor, State of the Broadcast Media Botswana Guardian, Mid-Week Sun and some stake at GabzFM), The Tsodilo As for broadcasting, there was no Group (Sunday Standard and The Tel- new entrant in the reporting period. The egraph), The News Company group (Bot- newest station however remained Duma swana Gazette, Lapologa, and some in- FM (2007). Yarona FM and Gabz FM con- terest in the visual media), and The Voice. tinue to broadcast consistently after Also publishing consistently was The 12 years in operation. The three private Echo newspaper which appears to have radio stations are seen as alternative stabilised enough to compete. There are news providers to the state broadcast- still no independently verified figures to ers, which appear to lose credibility by support circulation numbers of newspa- the day. pers in the country. Although sometimes appearing too The private print media must contin- conservative in the way it directs con- ue to seek to improve quality and diver- versations and interviews, Duma FM

So This is Democracy • 2011 45 Botswana

performed exceptionally well during the mental to the presenters themselves in national strike as it provided the listen- the long run, since they are not able to ers the most opportunity to interact maintain a consistent following. through call-in programmes while others mostly stuck to their usual programmes. Botswana and digital migration Although an adult station, Gabz FM seemed too reluctant to offer more de- Of note is the report by Mmegi of bates and it even reduced the phone-in February 2011, in which it revealed that portion of the morning show time to 45 Botswana was likely to adopt the Euro- minutes; apparently it realised it was a pean digital system (DV-B) as opposed to “music radio station”. This has made it to the Japanese (ISDB) as speculation had be too vulnerable to external interfer- earlier pointed. Although not commit- ence as evidenced by at least two known tal, the report quoted a senior member interventions by ruling Botswana Demo- of staff at Botswana Telecommunica- cratic Party (BDP) organs in its program- tions Authority (BTA), Caiphus Moletsane ming. informing a conference in South Africa A youthful station, Yarona FM is also about such a possibility. very cautious in handling callers opin- According to Mmegi, Moletsane ions. While it provides ample time for opined that “Botswana Television, whose spontaneous call-in on social and enter- transmitters covers 80% of the country tainment issues it would rather not do is digitally ready and can switch to the the same with politics and hard news European system, DVB-T2 with ease and stories. It must, however, be singled out at less cost’ for its innovation as far as use of new It does appear the move towards media are concerned. Europe is much affordable and easier Another characteristic of private ra- to follow than that of the Japanese, the dio stations is the high turnover of its reason being, it would not require a lot presenters. It appears there is a general of old equipment disposal. This would problem with staff welfare across the be a good move especially if it does not stations, or the calibre of their staff, es- demand added cost from consumers. The pecially sports presenters. The result is public awareness campaign is however journalists who are too mobile and in still confined to the elite and those more pursuit of monetary compensation as informed. The sooner it rolls down to the opposed to building a solid presence in populace the better. the industry. For example, at one point The country has committed itself to Duma FM and Yarona FM seemed to completing digital migration by 2015 in exchange staff as sport presenters of accordance with a deadline set by the either stations made rapid moves to the International Telecommunications Union other. Gabz FM also lost staff members (ITU). to Duma FM. This trend could be detri-

46 So This is Democracy • 2011 Conclusion and MISA-Botswana must continue to recommendations bring on board other civil society organisations to assist in implementing its free- Botswana’s media freedom’s rating dom of expression and access to informa- by Freedom House stayed at partly free tion campaigns. The Coalition of Freedom as opposed to free. This calls for serious of Expression(COFEX) that MISA-Botswa- introspection by all stakeholders and the na set up two years back must be revived nation at large, if at all, media freedom and used to attract and mobilise other is regarded as vital in the democracy of people who are not actively concerned the country. about media freedom for various reasons. By end 2011, parliament had not This, perhaps, can add more voices de- yet passed the Freedom of Information manding plural, diverse, independent and Bill (FOIB), sponsored by Hon Dumelang free media in Botswana. Saleshando. If passed it would come as relief and present, partially, evidence of a country willing to stay on democratic course. Together with other transparency laws, such as the declaration of assets and liabilities and the protection of whistle blowers, FOIB is an empowerment tool that citizens may utilise to achieve greater freedoms. The media and freedom of expression activism must be aware of new threats that will emerge outside the realms of government. In this regard, traditional leaders must be recognised as potential partners in ensuring that culture is not abused as a fertile ground for human rights abuses. Early warning mechanisms such as partnerships suggested above must be established to pick out threats to freedom of expression across the country. The use of new media is not very common in the Botswana media. Con- certed efforts must be made to adopt strategies that enable increased use of these media in reporting and also investigative journalism.

So This is Democracy • 2011 47 Botswana

em todo o país. Esta afirmação de que PORTUGUESE o negócio era habitual provaria irônico mas talvez mais prejudicialmente, ex- VERSION põe a propaganda desavergonhada pelo próprio governo quando ela chegou Introdução aos tribunais reclamando depois que os hospitais estavam com falta de pessoal A história de 2011 em Botsuana é in- como resultado da greve. completa sem mencionar-se os dois lon- Os espectadores foram tratados gos meses de greve inédita dos serviços literalmente a um extremo da história públicos. A greve proporcionou a popu- pois que o governo dominou as ondas laça a oportunidade de piar em si mesma de transmissao e nunca radiodifundiu o e ver como reage ou se comporta debaixo ponto de vista das uniões. Isto derrotou de uma enorme pressão. Como sempre, o o próprio conceptualismo de Reithian papel da mídia foi vital e fundamental. sobre Serviço público de Radiodifusão Se a idéia fosse avaliar as relações do como se visiona a Televisão de Botswana. governo com a imprensa durante a greve, John Reith, o Lorde escocês que adminis- estaria provavelmente abaixo da média. trou a British Broadcasting Cooperation De forma interessante isto surgiria prin- (BBC) nos seus anos formativos, visionou cipalmente da relação deste com a mídia os princípios de PSB enfrentados como do governo ao invés da privada, como segue: ser circunspecto de todos os alguém esperaria. O papel que a mídia pontos de vista, proibidade, universali- estatal desempenhou durante a greve dade como também compromisso para o poderia ser descrito no minimo como serviço público. vergonhoso. Citando apenas alguns incidentes; Avaliação actual quando a greve começou, o Executivo acampou quase literalmente em estúdios Portanto, a greve foi um pequeno de mídia estatais. Começando dos direc- teste para a mídia estatal reflectir na sua tores de departamentos, até aos minis- existência como também a sua relevân- tros e até mesmo ao próprio presidente cia no serviço ao interesse do público. do estado, parecia que o occupy-Wall Perguntas que poderiam surgir seriam: Street tinha sido exportado finalmente • Quem, realmente, a mídia estatal para Gaborone, desta vez sobre circun- deveria servir? É o governo - como stâncias e objectivos diferentes. o então Director do Departamento Foi o ministro da saúde, Reverendo dos Serviços de Radiodifusão, Mo- John Seakgosing que irreverentemente gomotsi Kaboeamodimo uma vez anunciou na televisão que tudo ia bem insinuou? nas clínicas e hospitais apesar de uma • Quem, realmente, é o dono da mídia turba inteira de doutores e enfermei- estatal? São os contribuintes ou o ros acampamento nos locais de greve governo ou o presidente?

48 So This is Democracy • 2011 • Quem, realmente, é o governo? dono em Botsuana. Apesar da reportagem unida mídia estatal? É o partido no lateral e parcial da mídia estatal, a mídia poder? Os funcionários públicos ou privada tenta equilibrar a sua cobertura. o povo? Por exemplo, o Ministro da Educação em O que está muito claro na greve um certo ponto convocou um programa passada é que quaisquer que fossem as telefonico ao vivo na Gabz FM para dar respostas para as perguntas anteriores, a sua própria versão da história em dis- alguém da mídia estatal já tinha as res- cussão e permitiram-na fazer isso. postas. Estava claro durante a greve que Tarde em 2011, o governo publicou quem estava no controlo acreditou que em diário oficial um Projecto Lei Regu- os milhares de trabalhadores de Batswa- lador de Comunicação em Botsuana que, na que estavam numa greve legal não se adoptado, vai efectivamente fasear mereceram serem ouvidos pelo resto dos o conceito de serviço de radiodifusão cidadãos. Ele ou ela também acreditou pública, inclusive rádio comunitaria. Este que os 2 milhões de pessoas de Botsuana novo projecto, deixará a mídia estatal não mereceram saber de um evento que fora do alcance regulador. Um olhar no teve o potencial para voltear a sua rota passado e presentes experiências mos- para a prosperidade económica. trarão que a mídia do estado tem sido O governo de Botsuana e por exten- usada como ferramentas de propaganda são o partido no poder, realmente nunca para o partido no poder, dai que, propor- permitiram a independência editorial cionando-lhes um reinado livre, deix- da mídia estatal. Antes da greve geral, ando-os irresponsáveis para qualquer o domínio para elevar o alerm era pre- autoridade reguladora, é ameaçar a de- dominantemente da MISA-Botsuana mocracia em si. sobre a envolvente influencia da política Aparte da agressão por parte do gov- na administração e acção da mídia es- erno, a família real, the Kgatleng royals, tatal. Porém, durante as demonstrações, e em particular Kgosi Kgafela, também vozes novas que vieram face-a-face com exibiu hostilidades contra as mídia priva- arrogância da mídia pública foram acres- das. Além do alegado molestamento de centadas a maioria de igrejas que bus- foto-jornalistas acompanhando o caso do caram a informação justa e balanceada. tribunal real, Kgafela também foi mencio- Estas vozes vieram da igreja e outras or- nado como alguém que dirigiu uma sé- ganizaçoes da sociedade civil. rie de tiradas verbais contra a midia. Isto, Com excepção das habituais murmu- justapôs com a sua tentativa anterior de raçoes e reclamações, nao há nenhum processar vários jornais e o chicoteamen- caso registrado onde o governo tentou to de dramaturgos por ousar representar ditar a cobertura das mídias privadas. um drama sobre a cultura da tribo dele, Este é um elogio, apesar da existência Kgafela e alguns dos seus sujeitos, pode- omniosa da Acta dos elementos da Midia riam ser vistos como ameaças a liberdade de 2008 que demanda a inscrição de to- de imprensa e expressão que existe fora das as pessoas que praticam jornalismo do estabelecimento político.

So This is Democracy • 2011 49 Botswana

Acesso a informação não pertinentes ao propósito para o qual o registro é segurado; e Botsuana ainda não tem uma lei que (d) nutrindo uma cultura de transpar- garante o acesso a informação. Houve ência e responsabilidade nos corpos porém novos desenvolvimentos para públicos para dar efeito ao direito de uma lei tal. Tendo sido dado o aval para acesso a informação. modelar o projecto lei de sócios privados na liberdade de informação, esperava- Embora algumas das excepções no se do Honorável Dumelang Saleshando projecto lei pudessem estar abertos colocar o projecto sobre a mesa durante ao abuso, o público pode ter conforto a Sessão Parlamentar de Dezembro de na cláusula de anulamento do inter- 2011. Vários depositários fizeram já a sua esse público. Esta é a mesma cláusula contribuição através de seminários fa- que a sua ausência tem, por exemplo, cilitados pela MISA Botsuana. Embora os descaroçou o governo de África do Sul sócios parlamentares já deram luz verde contra seus activistas de informação. para o projecto lei fora do parlamento, é Sem isto no projecto actual induziria ao a sua decisão final na sessão interna que mesmo tipo de reacção que o governo mais importa. Sul africano atraiu sobre si mesmo. A motivação para o acesso a lei de Os objectivos do Projecto lei foram assim informação abunda. Em suas duas pes- fixos: quisas sucessivas, a MISA-Botsuana (a) fazendo disponível ao público, infor- descobriu que o governo de Botsuana ou mação sobre as operações de corpos está muito reservado ou não responsivo. públicos e, em particular, assegu- O relatório de 2011 foi até mesmo mais rando que as régras e práticas que condenatório que, nenhum único depar- afectam os sócios públicos nos seus tamento que a MISA-Botsuana pediu procedimentos com corpos públicos informação respondeu. Também foi sur- estão prontamente disponíveis a preendente que em vez de buscar opor- pessoas afectadas por essas regras e tunidades para compromissos com as práticas; mídias, o governo respondeu apertando (b) criando um direito geral de acesso ainda mais os parafusos . a informação na posse de corpos A seguinte é a instrução que o Depu- públicos, limitado apenas por isen- tado Secretário Permanente e chefe dos ções claramente e estreitamente serviços de comunicação e informação definidas conforme os padrões in- do governo de Botsuana no escritório ternacionais bem estabelecidos; do presidente, Dr. Jeff Ramsay deu a tra- (c) criando um direito para realizar a balhadores do governo relativo aos pré- emenda de registros contendo in- mios abertos e secretos organizados pela formaçoes pessoais que estejam in- MISA-Botsuana: completas, incorretas, enganosos ou

50 So This is Democracy • 2011 “Como o governo da Botsuana não de 2011. Caso contrário, o status quo aceita a legitimidade dos prémios men- permaneceu com os mesmos gigantes da cionados, viemos por esta instruir que mídia na forma de Dikgang Group (Mme- em circunstancias nenhumas um ofical gi, Monitor, Botswana Guardian, Mid- governamental das relaçoes públicas Week Sun e algum poste no GabzFM), O atenderá a tais cerimonias, ou de outro Tsodilo Group (Sunday Standard and The modo aceitar qualquer prémio result- Telegraph), O grupo da Companhia de ante ou participar em qualquer outra Notícias (Botswana Gazette, Lapologa, acção que associaria o governo com as e alguns interessados na midia visual), e referidas cerimonias. Em suma, espera- The Voice. Quem também publicou con- se de todos os oficiais publicos o boicote stantemente foi o jornal Echo que parece destes eventos”, ter estabilizado bastante para competir. Ainda não há figuras nenhumas inde- Também deve notar-se que uma vez pendentemente verificadas para apoiar mais, outro ano passou sem uma de- números de circulação de jornais no país. claração de recurso e lei de responsabi- A imprensa privada deve continuar lidades. A ausência desta lei compromete buscando a melhoria na qualidade e di- qualquer esperança de transparência, e o versidade nas suas coberturas. Precisam número crescente de casos de corrupção perguntar-se a si mesmos o porque que contra sócios do executivo vindica este só as mesmas pessoas contribuem nas medo. Em 2011, os tribunais do magistra- páginas de opinião. A resposta não está do do país tiveram que lidar com casos de com os leitores mas nos jornais que sem- alto perfil que envolvem os ministros da pre deveriam estar na procura de novos defesa e segurança como também finan- modos de atrair interesses. Opiniões e ças e planos de desenvolvimento, ambos análises acrescentam valor enorme a foram despedidos eventualmente. isso é leitura de jornais e os jornais têm que se discutido então por este meio, que com esforçar para os atrair. Alguns escritores mais informaçoes saindo fora do país de carta se tornaram em de-facto col- estaria em uma optima posição de reg- unistas como resultado da falta de con- istar práticas de corrupção e autorizar as tribuição. Relacionado a isto, é a tendên- pessoas a monitorizarem directamente a cia de imprimir uma carta em todos os situação. jornais, até mesmo quando os editores tiveram bastante tempo para saber que Desenvolvimento da imprensa foi publicada em outro lugar. A menos e radiodifusão que esteja no interesse público ou do jornal, a prática compromete a qualidade O único concorrente novo na imp- de notícias. rensa privada de notícias populares foi O Noticiário Diário do governo con- o Weekend Post, que ganhou reconheci- tinua ser o que mais circula pois que mento ao ganhar o prémio de jornal com abrange a maior parte do pais e é dado melhor desenho na premiação nacional gratuitamente. Diz imprimir 80 000 có-

So This is Democracy • 2011 51 Botswana

pias e não se tem conhecimento de nen- provê amplo tempo para chamadas es- hum joprnal privado que consistente- pontâneas nos assuntos sociais e en- mente imprime metade desta margem. tretenimento, preferia não fazer o mesmo com política e histórias noticiosas Estado da Mídia de duras. Deve porém ser separado pela sua Radiodifusão inovação no tocante as preocupaçoes de uma nova midia. Quanto a radiodifusão, não houve Outra característica das estações de nenhum concorrente novo no período rádio privadas é a alta empanada de seus informativo. A estação mais nova no en- apresentadores. Parece haver um proble- tanto permanece a Duma FM (2007). Ya- ma geral no bem-estar do pessoal entre rona FM e Gabz FM continuam radiodi- as estações, ou o calibre do seu pessoal, fundindo constantemente depois de 12 especialmente os apresentadores do de- anos de operação. As três estações priva- sporto. O resultado é jornalistas que são das de rádio são vistas como provedores muito móveis e em perseguição de com- alternativos de notícias aos locutores de pensação monetária ao invés de con- rádios estatais que parecem perder cred- struir uma presença sólida na indústria. ibilidade antes do dia. Por exemplo, em um certo ponto Duma Embora às vezes pareça muito con- FM e Yarona FM pareciam trocar do pes- servadora pelo modo que dirige conver- soal como apresentadores desportivos de sações e entrevistas, a Duma FM actuou uma e outra estaçao, fazendo movimen- excepcionalmente bem durante a greve tos uma etação para a outra. Gabz FM nacional pois deu aos ouvintes a maior também perdeu membros sócios para a oportunidade para interagir através de Duma FM. Esta tendência poderia ser a programas de chamadas telefonicas en- longo prazo prejudicial aos apresentado- quanto outros presos nos seus programas res em si, desde que eles não conseguem habituais. Embora a estação para adultos, manter um partidarismo consistente. Gabz FM parecia muito relutante para oferecer mais debates e até reduziu mes- Botsuana e a migração digital mo a porção de telefonemas do show da manha para 45 minutos; aparentemente De tomar nota é o relatório pelo apercebeu-se que era uma “estação de Mmegi de Fevereiro de 2011 no qual rádio musical”. Isso tornou-a mais vul- revelou que Botsuana estava prestes a nerável a interferências externas como adoptar o sistema digital europeu (DV- comprovado por pelo menos duas in- B) ao invés do japonês (ISDB) como es- tervenções conhecidas pelos órgãos do peculaçoes tinham apontado mais cedo. partido no poder Botswana Democratic Embora sem submissão, o relatório citou Party (BDP) na sua programação. um sócio sénior do elenco das autori- Uma estação jovem, Yarona FM tam- dades de Telecomunicações de Botsuana bém é muito cautelosa no manejo das (BTA), Caiphus Moletsane informando opiniões dos chamadores. Enquanto uma conferência na África do Sul sobre

52 So This is Democracy • 2011 tal possibilidade. curso democrático. Junto com outras leis De acordo com Mmegi, Moletsane de transparência, como a declaração de opinou que a “Televisão de Botsuana, recursos e responsabilidades e a proteção cujos transmissores cobrem 80% do país dos árbitros, FOIB é uma ferramenta de está digitalmente pronta e pode mudar autorização que os cidadãos podem uti- para o sistema europeu, DVB-T2 com fa- lizar para alcançar maiores liberdades. cilidade e a menos custo’ O activismo da liberdade de imprensa Aparentemente o movimento para a e expressão devem estar atentos as no- Europa está muito mais disponível e mais vas ameaças que emergirão fora dos do- fácil de seguir do que o japonês, sendo a minios do governo. Nesta consideração, razão de que não requereria o descarte os líderes tradicionais devem ser recon- de muito equipamento velho. Este seria hecidos como sócios potenciais assegu- especialmente um movimento bom se rando que a cultura não é abusada como não exigir custo adicional dos consumi- uma terra fértil para abusos de direitos dores. A campanha de consciêncialização humanos. Muito cedo devem ser esta- pública é porém limitada ainda à elite e belecidos mecanismos de advertência aos mais informados. Quanto mais cedo como parceria sugerida acima, para re- rolar até a populaça melhor. mover ameaças a liberdade de expressão O país se comprometeu em fazer a no país. migração digital eté 2015 de acordo com O uso de novas mídias não é muito a meta estabelecida pela “Uniao Inter- comum nas mídia de Botsuana. Devem nacional de Telecomunicacoes” Interna- ser feitos esforços combinados para tional Telecomunications Union (ITU). adoptar estratégias que habilitam o uso acentuado destas mídias no jornalismo Conclusoes e recomendaçoes informativo e também investigativo. MISA-Botsuana tem que continuar A avaliação da liberdade de imprensa a trazer a bordo outras organizaçoes da na Botsuana pela Freedom House per- sociedade civil para ajudar na imple- maneceu parcialmente livre ao invés de mentação da sua liberdade de expressão livre. Isto chama por uma introspecção e campanhas de acesso a informação. séria por todos os sócios e a nação no A Coalizão de Liberdade de Expressão geral, se contudo, a liberdade de imp- (COFEX) que a MISA-Botsuana montou rensa é considerada vital na democracia dois anos atrás deve ser reavivado para do país. atrair e mobilizar outras pessoas que não Até ao fim de 2011, o parlamento estão interessadas activamente na liber- contudo, não tivera passado o projecto dade de imprensa por várias razões. Isto, lei da Liberdade de Informação (FOIB), talvez, possa criar mais vozes exigindo patrocinado pelo Hon Dumelang Sale- uma midia plural, diversa, independente shando. Se passasse viria como alívio e e livre em Botsuana. presente, parcialmente, evidência de um país com vontade de permanecer no

So This is Democracy • 2011 53 Botswana

Alert Date: April 15, 2011 Person/ institution: Phillip Makgalemele, Yarona FM Violation/ issue: Legislated Member of Parliament for the ruling party, Phillip Makgalemele is suing a privately owned radio station, Yarona FM and its former employee Mac’donald “Chilliboy” Rakgare a total sum of P2Million for defamation following a broadcast aired in 2008. The case is before Chief Justice Dibotelo Maruping. According to media reports, Yarona FM broadcasted allegations that the MP was bribed while ac- companying the under 23 national football team on a friendly match in China.

Communiqué Date: June 8, 2011 Person/ institution: ARTICLE 19 Violation/issue: Other A human rights pioneer that defends and promotes freedom of expression and freedom of information all over the world, ARTICLE 19 conducted an analysis of the Draft Freedom of Information Bill of Botswana ahead of the presenta- tion of the draft law to parliament at its July 2011 sitting. Although ARTICLE 19 welcomes the initiative to draft a law on access to information, it falls short of international and regional standards on freedom of expression and requires amendments. The most glaring shortfall is the complete absence of any provisions establishing institutional mechanisms which would support the implementation of the draft law.

54 So This is Democracy • 2011 National By Abel Chapatarongo Overview Journalist, Media and Civil Lesotho Society Activist 2011

So This is Democracy • 2011 55 Lesotho

Introduction also provides for the protection of reputations, rights and freedoms of individu- This article explores the state of the als”. Continues CPJ: “Criminal defamation media, examining the major threats and statutes remain on the books, making challenges facing journalists in Lesotho independent journalism a difficult and during 2011. Relations between the me- expensive career.” dia and the state in Lesotho are generally Yet, the problems are not limited to cordial. the legal front. Young, inexperienced Journalists are not required to regis- journalists who are mostly self-taught ter with a government-run commission staff newsrooms. To address some of to practice. During the period under re- these structural weaknesses it is im- view there still has been no word from portant that media companies invest the government regarding the status of heavily in training. Salaries for journal- a draft media policy presented by the ists must also be reviewed significantly communications ministry two years ago. if high staff turnover in newsrooms is to The absence of a media policy has be halted. created a serious policy vacuum. With no policy in place, journalists are left to Media freedom fumble in the dark as they seek to execute their duties. Lesotho still retains Lesotho stands out in the region as a raft of some of the most archaic laws the only country without a daily news- that are hostile to the media. Some of paper. The southern African country has these laws are broad and vague, meaning three main weekly newspapers, Public that they can be easily used to criminal- Eye, Lesotho Times and Sunday Express, ise the practice of journalism. all privately-owned. The Sedition Act of 1934 and the The government runs its own weekly Official Secrets Act of 1969 illustrate paper, Lesotho Today, which has an Eng- the above point. These laws must be lish section as well as a vernacular Seso- amended in line with modern, demo- tho insert. There are other smaller weekly cratic norms of governance. While the newspapers whose print-run and circu- constitution of Lesotho guarantees free- lation are quite small. Most of these are dom of expression, there is no specific run by faith-based organisations. clause that guarantees freedom of the The government of Lesotho remains media. Enacting a law that specifically the biggest player in the broadcasting guarantees freedom of the media would sector. There are eight private radio sta- go a long way in consolidating Lesotho’s tions in operation. nascent democracy. The government continues to main- A United States-based press watch- tain a tight grip on the country’s only dog, Committee to Protect Journalists television station, Lesotho Television, and (CPJ), says while Lesotho’s constitution Radio Lesotho, which has the widest net- guarantees freedom of expression “it work coverage. Although the airwaves

56 So This is Democracy • 2011 have been liberalised, the government among government officials. The secre- retains a huge interest in controlling tive nature of government ministries is what ordinary Basotho watch and listen in direct clash with fundamental demo- to. The reasoning seems to be dominated cratic values of transparency and ac- by the thinking that the media are too countability. Government ministers of- powerful to be left entirely in the hands ten elect not to speak to journalists for of private players. official comment. Most public officials, Little wonder, therefore, that when especially ministers, only prefer to speak a coalition of civic groups organised a to journalists when they think the story protest march on August 17, 2011, the in question will advance their own po- government responded by switching off litical profile. For most of the time, how- four private radio stations for “allegedly ever, they are determined not to release spreading lies and inciting people to join any information, no matter how mun- the textile industry strike”. The radio sta- dane such information might be. tions were off-air for seven hours. Eleven years after the Ministry of Among those that were temporarily Communications drafted the Informa- shut down were TK FM, PC FM, Harvest tion Accessibility and Receipt Bill, the FM and Mo-Afrika, all seen as rabidly proposed law is still to be placed before anti-government. But the government parliament to be enacted into law. denied that it had switched off the radio Out of the 19 government ministries stations, bizarrely claiming the blackout listed on the official government website was due to some “maintenance work”. (www.gov.ls), nine did not have func- Radio Lesotho, which is a govern- tional websites. Among these are key ment-run radio station, was not affected ministries such as those of Information, despite sharing the same transmitter Home Affairs and Agriculture. with the four affected stations. Also spared were Ultimate FM, Joy FM and Legal framework Catholic Radio. The switch-off suggests that the Journalists are still constrained by a government, progressive as it seems, can number of archaic laws that are still in metamorphose into a “monster” when it use. These include; the Obscene Publica- feels its turf is under threat. tions Proclamation Act (1912), Sedition Proclamation Act (1938), Official Secrets Access to Information Act (1967), Internal Security Act (1984) and the Emergency Powers Order (1988). Accessing official information re- Some of these laws have broad mains a huge challenge. There is no law clauses that can criminalise the practice that compels government departments of journalism. The government of Leso- and officials to release information re- tho would do well to amend some of quested by journalists. these laws to ensure journalists are not This has created a culture of secrecy constrained in executing their duties. For

So This is Democracy • 2011 57 Lesotho

instance, the Lesotho Times is currently result is that we have, for example, talk- facing more than a dozen defamation show programmes on private radio sta- lawsuits based on some of the above tions that are poorly moderated. laws. The government must also loosen The mounting legal costs have the its grip on Lesotho Television and Ra- potential to either sink the business or dio Lesotho and transform these enti- seriously upset its financial viability. The ties from being state broadcasters into lawsuits also tie up journalists in cum- public broadcasters. Salaries for journal- bersome legal processes, effectively dis- ists remain generally poor with some tracting them from fulfilling their core newspapers paying their journalists as mandate of delivering fair and objective little as M900 (US$112) a month. The is- reporting. sues of low remuneration salaries means Other newspapers are also facing newspapers have a high staff turnover costly lawsuits. For instance, the Catho- every year. Journalists at state-run me- lic-run newspaper, Moeletsi oa Basotho, dia have also complained of interference is facing a M2 million (USD260,000) law- in determining news content. Journalists suit for defamation which was filed by must be granted the freedom to operate Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili for run- without allowing powerful government ning a column in the newspaper alleging officials to determine news content. that he embezzled state funds. The defamation suit, if successful, Political and social threats to could sink the newspaper, which has been general operations in circulation since the late 1800s. It is these huge lawsuits, running into several Journalists are still exposed to seri- millions of Maloti, that pose the biggest ous threats for writing stories exposing threat to press freedom in Lesotho. wrongdoing. In an environment where there have been several high profile kill- Professionalism ings, with no arrests being made, this is a frightening prospect. The threat of There is a dire shortage of critical physical elimination hangs like an alba- skills in newsrooms. This could be blamed tross on the necks of journalists. on the quality of journalism training in In June 2011, one of Lesotho’s top Lesotho, which appears grossly inad- investigative journalists, Caswell Tlali, equate in preparing media professionals received subtle death threats after he in the 21st century. Reporters without wrote a damning story about a local formal training in journalism staff news- construction company that had received rooms. a M15 million loan from the government Unlike other professions that regu- to build a road in rural Thaba-Tseka. late their industry, journalism still does The company is alleged to have done not have any legal entity that regulates a shoddy job with the road being washed and upholds professional standards. The away by heavy rains barely two years

58 So This is Democracy • 2011 after its construction. During a meeting called by a representative of the con- PORTUGUESE struction company, Tlali was told that he could “end up in a coffin” for simply do- VERSION ing his work. On November 10, 2011, two Lesotho Introdução Television journalists, Ntsiuoa Sekete and Tsiu Setho were attacked by a mob while Este artigo explora o estado da imp- covering a demonstration in Maseru. The rensa, examinando as principais ameaças demonstrators wanted to hand a peti- e desafios que os jornalistas em Lesoto tion to Prime Minister Mosisili. The pro- enfrentaram em 2011.As relações entre testers accused the state television jour- a mídia e o estado em Lesoto são geral- nalists of bias in their coverage of the mente cordiais. anti-government protests. These attacks Os jornalistas não são exigidos a reg- impede on journalists’ right to practice istarem-se numa comissão do governo their profession without harassment and para o seu exercício. Durante o período are an affront to press freedom and the em análise, não houve nenhum pronun- rule of law. ciamento do governo relativamente ao ante-projecto sobre a política de imprensa apresentado ao Ministério das Co- municações há dois anos. A ausência de uma política de imprensa criou um vazio sério de estraté- gias. Sem a política, os jornalistas não se sentem claros na execução dos seus deveres. O Lesoto ainda serve-se de uma legislação arcaica hostil à imprensa. Al- gumas destas leis são ambíguas e va- gas, significando que podem ser usadas facilmente para incriminar a prática do jornalismo. A Acta de Sedição de 1934 e a Acta de Segredos Oficiais de 1969 compro- vam o ponto anterior. Estas leis devem ser emendadas em conformidade com as normas democráticas modernas de governação. Enquanto a constituição de Lesoto garante a liberdade de expressão, não há nenhuma cláusula específica que

So This is Democracy • 2011 59 Lesotho

garante a liberdade de imprensa. Decre- ria destes são dirigidos por organizações tar uma lei que especificamente garan- de boa fé. tisse a liberdade de imprensa seria um O governo do Lesoto continua jogan- passo gigante rumo à consolidação da do o maior papel no sector de radiodi- democracia embrionária do Lesoto. fusão. Há oito rádios privadas operando Uma nota de imprensa do Comité no Lesoto. Americano de Protecção dos Jornalis- O governo continua mantendo um tas (CPJ)”, diz enquanto a Constituição cerco apertado à única estação de tel- de Lesoto garante a liberdade de ex- evisão do pais, Televisão de Lesoto, e à pressão “também prevê a protecção de Rádio Lesoto que tem a maior cobertura reputações, direitos e liberdades dos inde rede. Embora as ondas de emissão divíduos”. A CPJ prossegue dizendo que: tenham sido liberalizadas, o governo os Estatutos de difamação criminal” per- retém um interesse enorme no controlo manecem nos livros, fazendo do jornal- do que os Basotho assistem e escutam. ismo independente uma carreira difícil e O raciocínio parece ser dominado pelo cara.” pensamento de que os mídia são muito Ainda, os problemas não são limita- poderosos para serem deixados complet- dos à frente legal. Há jovens jornalistas amente nas mãos de agentes privados. inexperientes a trabalharem em grandes Então, poucos se espantaram quando agências noticiosas. Para tratar de algu- uma coligação de grupos cívicos organ- mas dessas fraquezas estruturais é im- izou uma marcha de protesto no dia 17 portante que os órgãos de informação de Agosto de 2011, e o governo respon- invistam fortemente nas capacitações. deu desligando quatro estações privadas Há que também rever significativamente de rádio por “alegadamente espalharem os salários para jornalistas se se quiser mentiras e incitar o povo a juntar-se à parar com a alta empanada de pessoal greve da indústria têxtil”. As estações de nos órgãos de informação. rádio foram desligadas por sete horas. Entre as rádios que foram temporari- Liberdade de imprensa amente desligadas figuravam a TK FM, PC FM, Harvest FM e Mo-Afrika, todas Lesoto figura como o único país da vistas como antigovernamentais. Mas o região da África Austral que não tem um governo negou que tivesse desligado as jornal diário. Este possui três jornais se- estações de rádio, alegando que havia al- manais principais, o Public Eye, Lesotho guns “trabalhos de manutenção.” Times e Sunday Express, todos privados. A Rádio Lesoto que é uma estação de O governo tem estado a arruinar o rádio do governo não foi afectada apesar seu próprio jornal semanal, o “Lesotho de compartilhar o mesmo transmissor Today” que tem uma secção inglesa e um com as quatro estações afectadas. Tam- suplemento em Sesotho. Há outros jor- bém poupada foi a Ultimate FM, Joy FM nais semanários menores cuja impressão e Catholic Radio. e circulação é bastante pequena. A maio- O acto da interrupção sugere que

60 So This is Democracy • 2011 o governo pode metamorfosear para Estrutura Legal “monstro” quando sentir-se numa situ- ação de ameaça. Os Jornalistas ainda são constran- gidos por várias leis arcaicas que ainda Acesso a Informação estão em uso. Estas incluem a Acta da Proclamação de Publicações Obscenas Aceder às informações oficiais con- (1912), Acta de Proclamação de Sedição tinua sendo um desafio enorme. Não (1938), Acta de Segredos Oficiais (1967), há nenhuma lei que obrigue os depar- Acta de Segurança Interna (1984) e a Or- tamentos do governo e funcionários a dem dos Poderes de Emergência (1988). fornecer informações solicitadas pelos Algumas destas leis têm cláusulas jornalistas. largas que podem incriminar a prática do Esta situação criou uma cultura de jornalismo. É de desejar que o governo segredo entre os funcionários do gover- do Lesoto emende algumas destas leis no. A natureza reservada dos ministérios para que facilite o trabalho dos jornalis- do governo está em choque directo com tas. Por exemplo, neste preciso momento os valores democráticos fundamentais o Lesotho Times está enfrentando mais de transparência e responsabilização. de uma dúzia de processos de difamação Os Ministros do governo preferem não baseados em algumas das leis anteriores. conceder entrevistas a jornalistas para A ascensão nos custos legais oferece comentários oficiais. A maioria dos fun- um potencial para afundar o negócio ou cionários públicos, especialmente os transtornar seriamente a sua viabilidade ministros, só preferem falar com jornal- financeira. Os processos judiciais desviam istas quando eles sabem que a história os jornalistas de prosseguir com as suas em questão melhorará o seu próprio per- actividades de divulgar informações. fil político. Na maioria das vezes, porém, Para além do Lesotho Times, há eles estão determinados em não fornecer outros jornais a enfrentarem processos qualquer informação. judiciais caros. Trata-se do Moeletsi oa Onze anos após o Ministério das Co- Basotho, que está enfrentando um pro- municações ter traçado o ante-projecto cesso de duzentos e sessenta mil dólares lei sobre o acesso à informação, esta (USD260,000) por alegada difamação ainda não deu entrada parlamento para contra o Primeiro ministro Pakalitha Mo- debate e aprovação. sisili, num texto que o acusava de desvio Dos 19 ministérios do governo lista- de fundos estatais. dos no Website oficial que é o (www.gov. A ser sucedido, tal processo de ls), nove não têm websites operacionais. difamação pode afundar o jornal que Entre estes estão os ministérios funda- está em circulação desde os há séculos. mentais como os de Informação, Assun- Estes e outros processos, avaliados em tos Internos e Agricultura. vários milhões de Maloti ou milhares de dólares, minam a liberdade de imprensa no Lesoto.

So This is Democracy • 2011 61 Lesotho

Profissionalismo matanças impunes. A ameaça de elimi- nação física é algo que os jornalistas li- As habilidades de parte considerável dam no seu dia-a-dia. da classe jornalística deixam a desejar. Em Junho de 2011 um dos jornalistas Isso deve-se em parte, à escassez de pro- investigativos de topo no Lesoto, Caswell gramas de capacitação desta classe. Ou Tlali, recebeu ameaças de morte depois ainda, os poucos programas de capaci- de reportar sobre uma empresa local de tação existentes, são inadequados aos construção que tinha recebido M15 mil- desafios dos profissionais de imprensa hões de empréstimo do governo para no século XXI. construir uma estrada na zona rural de Ao contrário das outras profissões Thaba-Tseka. que têm o seu sector regulado, o jornal- Parte-se do principio que a alegada ismo ainda não tem qualquer entidade empresa fez um trabalho precário, dado legal que o regula ou apoia seus padrões a estrada ter sido fustigada pelas chuvas, profissionais. Como resultado disso, por dois anos após a sua construção. Du- exemplo, há programas de debate em rante uma reunião convocada por um estações de rádios privadas cujas moder- representante da empresa de construção, ações são eminentemente fracas. foi dito a Tlali que “pode terminar num Há uma necessidade de o governo caixão” por fazer simplesmente o seu libertar a rádio e televisão públicas. Os trabalho. salários dos jornalistas permanecem No dia 10 de novembro de 2011, dois geralmente pobres com alguns jornais jornalistas da Televisão de Lesoto, Ntsi- chegando a pagar valores irrisórios como uoa Sekete e Tsiu Setho foram atacados M900 (US$112) por mês. Alguns jornal- enquanto cobriam uma manifestação istas da imprensa estatal têm reclamado em Maseru. Os manifestantes pretendi- da interferência na determinação do am apresentar uma petição ao Primeiro conteúdo das notícias. Há que conced- ministro Mosisili. Estes atacaram os jor- er aos jornalistas a liberdade de operar nalistas acusando-os de, por aqueles sem a interferência de funcionários po- trabalharem para uma televisão estatal, derosos do governo na determinação do estarem a ser parciais na cobertura dos conteúdo das notícias. eventos. Em geral, estes ataques impedem os Ameaças políticas e sociais jornalistas de cumprirem com o seu de- aos jornalistas ver exercer o seu trabalho livre e despi- dos de qualquer afronta para a liberdade Os jornalistas expõem-se às ameaças de imprensa. sérias por reportarem ou escreverem algo que não satisfaça certos grupos de interesse poderosos. Isto revela a insegurança com que esta classe deve se sujeitar, num contexto em que já houve episódios de

62 So This is Democracy • 2011 Alert in a radio broadcast over Harvest FM Date: January 19, 2011 Radio allegations that she was took part Person/ institution: Moeletsi oa in corruption and fraudulent activities Basotho in the installation of a gate at a police Violation/ issue: Legislated headquarters. Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili is suing a local newspaper owned by the Alert Catholic Church, Moeletsi oa Basotho for Date: June 17, 2011 defamation and is demanding M2 million Person/ institution: Lesotho Times (US$288 600.00) in damages, for a story newspaper editors alleging that his office embezzled M8 Violation/ issue: Threatened they received for a period of 2005/06. On 16 June 2006 the Lesotho Times newspaper reported that its editors Alert were called to a secret meeting where Date: February 3, 2011 representatives of Nthane Brothers, a Person/ institution: Pakalitha construction company, asked them to Mosisili reveal their sources of the controversial Violation/ issue: Other tender story the newspaper published on On 2 February 2011, Lesotho Prime 9 June 2011. Minister Pakalitha Mosisili told reporters in Maseru that the minister responsible Alert would present the Media Policy in Date: August 19, 2011 parliament soon. Person/ institution: Christian Broadcaster, Harvest FM, People’s Alert Choice FM (PC FM), MoAfrika FM Date: March 25, 2011 and Thaha-Khube FM (TK FM) Person/ institution: Relebohile Violation/ issue: Censored and Moyeye, Harvest FM threatened Violation/ issue: Legislated On 17 August 2011, four private radio On March 23, 2011, popular private stations in Lesotho were off-air for most station Harvest FM received civil of the day, on the third climactic day of summons in which the Assistant protests against the government. This Commissioner of Police Thakane Theko happened a day after the government is claiming M1 000 000 (US$144 300) held an unusual meeting with at least for defamation with interest at a rate two of the affected stations. The radio of 18.5% per annum a tempore morae stations had been providing live coverage (from the date of judgment). Theko of protests by factory workers which claims on or about the October 20, started on Monday, 15 August 2011. 2010, Harvest FM presenter Relebohile Moyeye wrongfully, unlawfully, and with intent to defame her, published

So This is Democracy • 2011 63 Lesotho

Alert Date: September 12, 2011 Person/ institution: Harvest FM Violation/ issue: Legislation Harvest FM told MISA Lesotho that the Lesotho High Court Judge’Maseforo Mahase was suing the station for M8 million (US$1.1 million) for defamation. Station Manager ‘Malichaba Lekhoaba said according to the letter of demand from Justice Mahase’s lawyer Mokorosi Chobokoane, Justice Mahase claims the programme aired by the station on 14 July 2011 had defamatory remarks against her.

Alert Date: September 13, 2011 Person/ institution: Radio stations Violation/ issue: Censored On 9 September 2011, all the radio stations in Lesotho went off air except for Catholic Radio in Lesotho. Upon further investigation MISA Lesotho was informed that all radio stations were given notice on Wednesday, 7 September 2011, of scheduled maintenance to the national broadcasting service transmitters. MISA Lesotho however questioned the timing of the maintenance since it was taking place at the same time as a controversial court case involving two factions of the ruling party.

64 So This is Democracy • 2011 National By Francis Chikunkhuzeni Lecturer in Journalism and Overview Media Studies, University of Malawi Malawi 2011

So This is Democracy • 2011 65 Malawi

Introduction Media and Politics

In the year 2011 the media in Malawi All major political parties had inter- have, against the backdrop of a hostile nal tensions and conflicts that led to political environment and dire economic expulsion of executive members, often conditions, played significant roles to- followed by court cases. Civil society wards entrenching political democracy organisations staged, amid resistance and stimulating social-economic devel- from government, mass demonstrations opment in the country. Overall, the me- to draw government attention to poor dia have provided participatory forums performance of the ruling Democratic for citizens to freely voice out policy Progressive Party (DPP) in delivering on preferences and debate a diversity of is- its promises to develop Malawi. While sues. political conflicts and tensions were fer- In addition, the media have endeav- tile ground for political news coverage, oured to inform the citizenry through the media were inadvertently affected by analytical reporting on national and in- the nature of politics. ternational current affairs, agro-based The media in Malawi operate in a entrepreneurship and how the exercise political environment in which power of power affects their livelihoods. The is structured around political factions, media have also exposed social injustices where political competition is not based and abuse of power and public resources. on ideological differences among politi- They have defended media freedom by cal parties, but rather perceived mem- strategic networking with domestic and bership entitlements in belonging to a international advocates. particular political faction. State-owned However, the operating environment and funded media, namely the Malawi in 2011 was, for the media, dangerous, Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and oppressive and retrogressive. Members of Malawi News Agency (MANA), are con- the media have been physically assaulted trolled by political factions under the when covering public functions such as central command of the DPP, while com- mass demonstrations and sports. They mercial or community media are prone have received anonymous death threats to align or, from time to time, shift edi- for carrying stories critical to the govern- torial policies to any political faction, es- ment. Media workers have been fired and pecially those from the opposition pool. retrenched on political grounds under Thus, private commercial and com- the guise of organisational restructuring. munity media are either included or ex- Media houses have been banned from cluded from entitlements accruing from carrying live coverage of mass protests. membership of the dominant DPP fac- All these events have occurred while the tions, leading to a structural dichotomy Constitution of the Republic of Malawi between pro- and anti-establishment guarantees media freedom, freedom of media, which in turn results in editorial expression and right to individual security. policy shifts in support of or in opposi-

66 So This is Democracy • 2011 tion to the ruling political party factions. systematically instituted to stifle media This political polarisation in the me- freedom, mainly through selective en- dia is further exacerbated by opposing forcement and application of the law for political factions, which are ever-present political expediency. Law enforcement within either pro- or anti-establishment agents have been utilised as legitimate media organisations. Thus, media organi- means to control the media. sations comprise members of different In Malawi an accused person is pre- political factions. This creates various sumed innocent until proven guilty in a forms of opposing factional struggle, ri- competent court of law and the Consti- valry, antagonism and tension within a tution requires that such person should media organisation. be charged within 48 hours of arrest. While at times factionalism has un- Media workers have been arrested and dermined the role of media freedom in charged but cases do not proceed to a cultivating a democratic culture as evi- just conclusion in a court of law. Thus, denced by sporadic cases of sensational- the State systematically uses the ‘arrest- ism, misinformation and character assas- and-drop-charges’ tactic to harass and sination, they have generally remained punish media workers and control the resolute in their watchdog role. Com- media. petition among rival political factions New laws have been enacted to fur- or members of a faction creates fertile ther limit the scope of media freedom. ground for news scoops. As such cases The media have been fighting against of corruption, violation of human rights, the effecting of these media laws be- disregard of provisions of the Constitu- cause they negate the Constitutional tion and all forms of social injustice have guarantees to media freedom and free- often been leaked to and published in dom of expression. the media. Since membership to any fac- Malawi has introduced a law that tion is fluid, a shrewd media practitioner governs civil procedures in suits against may navigate and enjoy entitlements of the Government or public officers. It pro- different dominant factions by switch- vides for an inter-parte hearing whenev- ing allegiances. However, this may not be er an injunction is being sought against desirable as journalists will become too any arm of government, effectively close to their sources to remain com- stopping courts from granting injunc- fortably objective, impartial, fair and not tions against government or its officers compromising the trust and credibility of before they are heard. The law further the media houses they work for. requires that government be given notice of three days before the inter-parte Legislative environment hearing is conducted. The media have often sought court The legislative environment in 2011 relief against government infringe- was restrictive rather than enabling. ments on media freedom. For example, Existing laws have been tactfully and when government banned The Weekend

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Times, the publishers Blantyre Newspa- to input into the law reform process, it pers Limited (BNL) had sought relief from does not guarantee a favourable output. the High Court to continue publishing. Institutional biases are likely to turn up When Government introduced these substantively similar versions of legisla- new laws, legal relief was successfully tion or as is often the case, government obtained pending judicial reviews. will hold the proposals in a perpetual The second piece of legislation is the consultation processes until memories amendment to Section 46 of the Penal fade. Hence, it is important to note that Code. The amendment empowers a po- all the laws that have been referred to litical appointee of the President of the the Law Commission are still active and Republic to censor media content in the can be used by the state pending the re- name of ‘public interest’. The amended view and amendment processes. section reads: The common institutional biases are “If the Minister has reasonable three: grounds to believe that the publication 1) The mandate of the Law Commission or importation of any publication would ends with a report containing rec- be contrary to the public interest, he ommendations; stakeholders have may, by order published in the Gazette, to lobby Members of Parliament for prohibit the publication or importation their preferences to prevail. of such publication.” 2) Cabinet, comprising DPP loyalists, As submitted by many media free- performs the functions of process- dom advocates this amended section is ing and approving all government contrary to Section 36 of the Constitu- Bills to be tabled in Parliament. As tion, which stipulates that “the press was the case with the Communi- shall have the right to report and publish cations Act (1998), Cabinet has the freely, within Malawi and abroad, and to propensity to ignore stakeholder be accorded the fullest possible facilities recommendations and insert its own for access to public information.” views that are consistent with partisan interests. Cabinet has previously Forced by pressure from the interna- ignored recommendations made tional community, which has withheld in the 1990s by the Civil Liberties financial support to Malawi, and domes- Committee and Article 19, through tic civil society organisations, which have a submission to the Law Commission threatened further mass demonstrations on how Section 46 of the Penal Code against it, the Malawi government has should be reviewed. referred these two pieces of legislation 3) Parliament, currently dominated by to the Law Commission. While the de- a DPP majority, has to ‘debate’ and velopment is welcome as it provides an pass Bills. What guarantee is there opportunity to media freedom advocates that pro-democracy recommenda-

68 So This is Democracy • 2011 tions will be accepted by the same State of broadcast media Parliament that approved the retrogressive pieces of legislation? The Malawi Communications Regu- latory Authority (MACRA) has issued a Access to Information (ATI) fourth mobile phone operator, Celcom Limited, with 100 shares wholly owned The proposal to enact Access to In- by Mulli Brothers, a local business em- formation laws has been on the drawing pire affiliated to ruling DPP factions. In board for over a decade. However, MISA- the broadcasting sector, MACRA has is- Malawi, through donor support, will sued licenses to new television stations, lead the development of ATI policy and namely: Galaxy TV, African Bible College awareness campaigns and also conduct a (ABC) TV, Channel for All Nations (CAN) study on obstacles that hinder access to TV and Gateway TV. information. Through all these initiatives, While it was not clear who owns Malawi is likely to take the ATI agenda Gateway TV or Galaxy TV, media reports forward. claimed Galaxy belongs to President Bingu Wa Mutharika’s family. Out of 30 Defamation applicants for new radio broadcasting licenses only 8 were awarded, including: In 2011 defamation cases against the Maziko Radio, Mulhako Radio, Galaxy media were numerous. Unlike in the past, Radio and Usisya Community Radio. such cases have mostly been resolved Mulhakho wa aLhomwe is an ethnic through an Alternative Dispute Reso- grouping for the Lhomwe tribe whose lution Process, in which any civil case patron is President Mutharika and there- registered with the Courts is examined fore, the awarding of a licence to the for determination on whether or not it group has raised many eyebrows. Appli- can be resolved through dialogue and cants perceived to incline towards rival negotiation. Media managers in Malawi political factions have not been success- have found this legal provision of out- ful. These include TV licence applicants, of-court arbitration less costly, fast, in- Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Blantyre formal, friendly and flexible. While they Printing and Publishing Company, and bemoan that in most cases media or- Joy Radio, owned by former president ganisations incur costs for lawyers, me- Bakili Muluzi. MISA-Malawi, which ap- diation fees and compensation, they find plied for a broadcasting license on behalf the negotiations over terms of payment of Mulanje Community Radio, was also and bargaining over levels of compensa- unsuccessful. tion accommodating and conducive to media practice. In this sector, the proposal to review the Communications Act (1998) still remains in the Government bureaucratic mill, five years after the draft was writ-

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ten. The aim of the review was to make The cover price of daily papers has risen the law efficient in wading off undue from K120 (about US$0.73) in Novem- political influence and in regulating en- ber 2010 to K200 (about US$1.22) in vironment created by advanced infor- November 2011. The weekly newspapers mation and communication technolo- have risen from K200 (about US$1.22) to gies. Instead of lobbying for expedient K240 (about US$1.46). enactment of the proposed law, MACRA The situation is aggravated by short- has acquired equipment for monitoring age of foreign exchange and fuel. To national telecommunications systems, operate, print media have resorted to including content of individual private alternative sources of foreign exchange communication. and fuel, which are too exorbitant. Power outages and inconsistent water supply State of print media are part of the operational challenges faced by media houses as well. The print media have remained an While the print media market is small exclusive privilege of few Malawians due to low disposable incomes among the who can afford to buy at least two majority of Malawians, the market is fur- newspapers per day. Since the major- ther shrinking as existing customers are ity of Malawians are constantly under a switching to online media as a source of food security threat, as they live on less ‘free’ news and information. Many main- than one US Dollar a day, the domestic stream print media organisations run an print media market is highly confined online version of the print publication, but to the richest 10 percent, whose income such outlays do not offer much return on median is three times that of the poorest investment, if any at all. 10 percent. The two biggest publishers circulate State of ICT and 10 to 18 thousand newspaper copies Telecommunications in a country of 14 million inhabitants. The sector remains an oligopoly domi- Led by MACRA, Malawi has officially nated by titles from Nation Publications expressed willingness and commitment Limited (NPL) and Blantyre Newspapers to migrate to digital broadcasting by Limited (BNL) stables. One notable new 2015, the deadline set by the Interna- comer in this sector is Sky News, which tional Telecommunications Union (ITU). specialises in political character assas- SADC set the deadline for 2013. But the sination and is linked to the ruling DPP. practicalities of digital migration and its Print media in Malawi are operating potential benefits on broadcast audienc- in dire economic conditions as govern- es have not been extensively publicized, ment has introduced a 16.5% value- leaving many people in the dark and a lot added-tax on the cover price of print voices marginalised. products in addition to 15% import duty The rate of ICT penetration in Malawi on newsprint and other imported inputs. remains the lowest in the region. Only

70 So This is Democracy • 2011 4.5 percent of the population uses the active features for user participation Internet. Low levels of computer literacy, including facilities for user-generated high cost of Internet services, poor infra- content. structure and scarcity of electricity are Many journalists practice blogging as some of the major setbacks to advances a form of journalism to circumvent edi- in ICT and telecommunications. Further- torial or self-censorship in mainstream more, the Communications Act (1998) is media houses. The media also participate outdated and permits incessant politi- in reflective professional forums, such cal interference in telecommunications as the Google group, MISA-Malawi e- business. forum, where critique of media performance is the main focus. Gender relations During the mass demonstration on 20 July, the online medium was the most In order to create a gender-conscious reliable and accessed source of informa- media practice, news media organisation, especially when MACRA banned tions have drafted and implemented live broadcast of events related to the gender policies. In February 2011, over protests. Sharing of information through ten media houses launched organisa- social networks has become a vital tool tional gender policies with support from for democratisation in Malawi especially Gender Links. While institutionalisation when mainstream media are gagged by of gender in media workplaces is a very government or editorial policies. significant step in efforts towards de- veloping a gender-equal media practice, Conclusion further monitoring and support for this initiative is required. Currently gender- The resilience in troubled times and blind, blatant gender stereotyping and noble task that the media in Malawi subtle gender stereotyping remain an performed in 2011 are milestones in the issue in media content. But overall, development of a mature media democ- every media outlet has deliberately given racy. The media continue to actively par- prominence to gender-based violence ticipate in nation building even under and promoted content on gender and political hostility and economic crisis. HIV/AIDS. The advocacy networks and resolve to defend media freedom are influencing New Media and Social Media government decisions as is evident in the way retrogressive laws were sent for Malawian journalists have embraced legal review. the online news medium as a democra- The economic crisis, impunity of the tisation tool. Most media houses have ruling elite, legacy of old draconian laws online publications and the number of and low media penetration in Malawi stand-alone online news sites has in- are major challenges, which require increased. These sites have many inter- tervention and monitoring in 2012. The

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aim should be to build on existing gains PORTUGUESE such as power of social media and zeal of the media lobby to expand the space VERSION of media freedom through the Access to Information Bill, review of the Commu- Introdução nications Act (1998), review of the civil procedures laws, and also the review of No ano de 2011 a imprensa em Section 46 of the Penal Code. Malaui esteve contra o ambiente político If the current financial crisis is not hostil e condições econômicas medon- properly negotiated and government im- has, jogou um papel significante no punity towards civil society recommen- fortalecimento da democracia política dations on good governance continues, estimulando o desenvolvimento socio- the media in Malawi will be faced with a econômico no país. No geral, as mídias double tragedy, where political anarchy providenciaram foruns participatórios may frequently disrupt business and the para os cidadãos expressarem livremente media market may shrink. as suas preferências políticas e debater uma variedade de assuntos. Além disso, a mídia empenhou-se em informar os cidadãos colectivamente através de reportagens analicas e assuntos internacionais actuais, empre- sariado Agricola e como o exercicio do poder afecta o seu sustento. As mídias também expuseram injustiças sociais e abuso de poder e dos recursos públicos. Eles defenderam a liberdade de imprensa através de uma ligação estratégica com defensores domésticos e internacionais. Porém, o ambiente operacional em 2011 foi, para a mídia, perigoso, opressivo e regressivo. Os sócios da mídia foram fisicamente agredidos quando cobrindo funções públicas como demonstrações em massa e desportos. Eles receberam ameaças anónimas de morte por di- vulgarem histórias críticas para o governo. Os trabalhadores da midia foram despedidos e reduzidos sobre pretextos políticos no disfarce de re-estruturação organizacional. Os órgãos da imprensa foram proibidos de fazer coberturas ao

72 So This is Democracy • 2011 vivo de protestos em massa. Todos estes políticas editoriais por qualquer facção eventos aconteceram enquanto a Con- política, especialmente as da arena da stituição da República de Malauí garan- oposição. tia a liberdade de imprensa, liberdade de Assim, a imprensa comercial privada expressão e direito a segurança do indi- e comunitária ou estão incluídas ou ex- viduo. cluidas dos direitos que provém da sociedade das facções dominantes do DPP, Mídia e Política conduzindo a uma dicotomia estrutural do pro e anti-estabelecimento da midia Todos os principais partidos políticos que resultam em mudanças na política tiveram tensões internas e conflitos que editorial em suporte ou em oposição às conduziram a expulsão de sócios ex- facções políticas do partido no poder. ecutivos, freqüentemente seguidos por Esta polarização política na mídia é casos de tribunal. As organizaçoes da exacerbada mais adiante opondo facções sociedade civil estavam em cena, entre políticas que sempre estão presentes a resistência do governo, demonstrações dentro das organizacoes do pro ou anti- em massa para chamar a atenção do estabelecimento da midia. Assim, as or- governo ao pobre desempenho do par- ganizaçoes da mídia incluem membros tido no poder, Democratic Progressive de diferentes facções políticas. Isto cria Party (DPP) no cumprimento das suas várias formas de opor lutas partidárias, promessas de desenvolver Malauí. En- rivalidades, antagonismo e tensão dentro quanto os conflitos políticos e tensões de uma organização da mídia. eram condiçoes favoraveis para cobertu- Enquanto que às vezes o partidar- ra de notícias políticas, a mídia esteve in- ismo tem arruinado o papel da liberdade advertidamente afectada pela natureza de imprensa em cultivar uma cultura das políticas. democrática como evidenciado por ca- A mídia em Malauí opera num am- sos esporádicos de sensacionalismo, biente político no qual o poder é estru- desinformação e assassinato do caráter, turado ao redor de facções políticas onde eles geralmente permaneceram reso- a competição política não está baseada lutos no seu papel de cão-de-guarda. nas diferenças ideológicas entre os parti- As competiçoes entre partidos rivais ou dos políticos, mas sim, no entitulamento membros de partidos políticos criam percebido de pertencer a uma particular condiçoes favoráveis para o furo de notí- facção política. A midia estatal é finan- cias. Casos como corrupção, violação ciada, nomeadamente a Malawi Broad- dos direitos humanos, desconsideração casting Corporation (MBC) e a Malawi das providências da Constituição e to- News Agency (MANA) são controladas das as formas de injustiça social foram por facções políticas sobre o comando frequientemente divulgadas e publicadas central do DPP, enquanto a midia comer- na imprensa. Como a membrasia para cial ou mídia comunitária são propensas qualquer facção é liquida, um agente da a alinhar ou, de vez em quando, troquem mídia astuto pode navegar e desfrutar de

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direitos de diferentes facções dominantes contra o Governo ou oficiais públicos. trocando submissões. Porém, isto pode Provê uma auscultação inertna sem- não ser desejável como os jornalistas pre que uma proibição está sendo feita estarão mais proximos das suas fontes a contra qualquer braço do governo, im- fim de permanecerem confortavelmente pedindo efectivamente os tribunais de focalizados, imparciais, justos e não com- conceder proibições contra o governo ou prometendo a confiança e credibilidade seus oficiais antes de serem ouvidos. A lei dos órgãos de imprensa pelos quais tra- requer mais adiante que seja dado aviso balham. prévio ao governo, tres dias antes de ser conduzida a auscultação. Ambiente legislativo A mídia buscou freqüentemente alívio do tribunal contra as infrações do O ambiente legislativo em 2011 foi re- governo na liberdade de imprensa. Por stritivo em vez de habilitar. Leis existentes exemplo, quando o governo proibiu o foram diplomatica e sistematicamente Weekend Times, os publicadores Blantyre instituídas para abafar a liberdade de im- Newspapers Limited (BNL), buscaram prensa, principalmente por execução se- recurso ao Tribunal Supremo para con- lectiva e aplicação da lei para conveniên- tinuarem a publicar. Quando o Governo cia política. Agentes de execução da lei introduziu estas novas leis, um alívio foram utilizados como meios legítimos legal foi prosperamente obtido ficando para controlar a imprensa. pendentes as revisões judiciais. Em Malaui, uma pessoa acusada é O segundo pedaço da legislação é a presumida inocente até provado cul- emenda da Seção 46 do Código penal. pado num tribunal de lei competente A emenda autoriza uma pessoa po- e a constituição requer que tal pessoa liticamente nomeada pelo Presidente da esteja sob custodia dentro de 48 horas. República para censurar o conteúdo da Trabalhadores da mídia foram presos e midia em nome do ‘interesse público’. A penalizados mas os casos não procedem seção da emenda diz: a uma conclusão justa no tribunal da lei. Assim, o Estado usa sistematicamente a “Se o Ministro tem razoes aceitáveis tática de prender-e- largar para molestar para acreditar que a publicação ou im- e castigar os trabalhadores da mídia e portação de qualquer publicação estari- controla-los. am ao contrário do interesse público, ele Foram ordenadas novas leis que visam pode, por ordem publicada na Gazeta, limitar a extensão da liberdade de imp- proibir a publicação ou importação de rensa. A midia tem vindo a lutar contra tal publicação.” os efeitos destas leis porque eles negam as garantias Constitucionais a liberdade Como submetido por muitos que de imprensa e de expressão. defendem a liberdade de imprensa, essa Malauí introduziu uma lei que gov- secção da emenda é contrária a secção erna os procedimentos civis em acçoes 36 da Constituição que estipula que “a

74 So This is Democracy • 2011 imprensa terá o direito para informar samento e aprovação de todo pro- e publicar livremente, dentro e fora de jecto de lei do governo a ser posto Malauí, e ser outorgada as possíveis fa- a mesa no parlamento. Como foi o cilidades de acesso a informação públi- caso com a Acta das Comunicações ca.” (1998), o Gabinete tem a tendência Forçado pela pressão da comunidade de ignorar as recomendações dos internacional, que reteve o apoio finan- socios e inserir suas próprias visões ceiro para Malauí e organisaçoes domé- que são consistentes com os inter- sticas da sociedade civil, que ameaçou esses do partido. O Gabinete igno- demonstrações em massa adicionais rou previamente as recomendações contra este, o governo de Malauí en- feitas nos anos 90 pelo Comitê de caminhou estes dois pedaços de legis- Liberdades civis e Artigo IXX , por lação à Comissão Legislativa. Enquanto uma submissão para a Comissão o desenvolvimento é bem-vindo, como Legislativa em como a Seção 46 do provê uma oportunidade aos defensores Código penal deveria ser revisada. da liberdade de imprensa de contribuir 3) o parlamento, actualmente domi- no processo de reforma legislativa, nado por uma maioria do DPP, tem não garante um resultado favoravel. É de ‘debater’ e aprovar Projetos de provável que preconceitos institucion- lei. Que garantia há que as reco- ais venham substancialmente por a tona mendações pro-democraticas serão versões semelhantes da legislação ou aceites pelo mesmo Parlamento que como é freqüentemente o caso, o gov- aprovou os pedaços regressivos da erno segurará as propostas em processos legislação? perpétuos de consulta até que record- ações enfraqueçam. Conseqüentemente, Acesso a Informação (ATI) é importante anotar que todas as leis encaminhadas à Comissão Legislativa A proposta para ordenar a lei de ainda estão activas e podem ser usadas Acesso a Informação esteve no estira- pelo estado ficando pendente a revisão e dor durante uma década. Porém, MISA- o processo de emenda. Malauí, através do apoio de doadores, conduzirá o desenvolvimento de políti- Os preconceitos institucionais comuns cas do ATI e campanhas de consciên- são três: cialização e também administra um es- 1) o mandato da Comissão Legislativa tudo sobre os obstáculos que impedem termina com um relatório que con- o acesso a informação. Através de todas tém recomendações; os socios têm estas iniciativas, é provável que Malauí que intrigar com os Membros do leve adiante a agenda do ATI Parlamento para que as suas prefer- ências prevaleçam. 2) o gabinete, incluindo os legalistas do DPP, executa as funções de proces-

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Difamação dente Bingu Wa Mutharika. Num total Os casos de difamação contra a midia de 30 candidatos para licenças de novas em 2011 foram numerosos. Ao contrário rádios, apenas 8 foram autorgados in- no passado, tais casos foram resolvidos cluindo: Maziko Radio, Mulhako Radio, principalmente através de um Processo Galaxy Radio e Usisya Community Radio. Alternativo de Resolução de Disputa, no Mulhakho wa aLhomwe é um grupo qual qualquer caso civil registrado com étnico para a tribo de Lhomwe cujo os Tribunais é examinado para determi- patrao é o Presidente Mutharika dai que, naçoes se pode ou não ser solucionado a autorga de uma licença para o grupo por diálogo e negociação. Os gerentes da levantou muitas sobrancelhas. Os can- mídia em Malauí acharam esta provisão didatos perceberam-se de que as incli- legal de arbitragem fora-dos-tribu- naçoes para as rivalidades de facções nais menos custioso, rápido, informal, políticas não tiveram êxito. Estes in- amigável e flexível. Enquanto lamentam cluem candidatos a licenças de Televisao, que na maioria dos casos as organizaçoes Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Blantyre da mídia incorrem custos para os advog- Printing and Publishing Company e Joy ados, taxas de mediação e compensação, Radio, pertencentes ao ex-presidente eles acham que as negociações sobre os Bakili Muluzi. MISA-Malauí que solicitou termos de pagamento e contratos acima uma licença de radiodifusão em nome de dos níveis de compensação comodos e Mulanje Community Radio também foi conducentes a prática da mídia. malsucedida. Neste sector, a proposta para revisar Estado da mídia de a Acta das Comunicações (1998) ainda radiodifusão permanece no moinho burocrático do Governo, cinco anos depois da elabo- As Autoridades Reguladoras das Co- ração do rascunho. O objectivo da revisão municaçoe de Malaui (MACRA) emiti- foi de tornar a lei eficiente, vadeando a ram uma quarta operadora de telefonia influência política imprópria e regulan- móvel, Celcom Limited, com 100 partes do o ambiente criado por informações completamente pertencentes aos Mulli avançadas e comunicaçoes tecnologicas. Brothers, um império empresarial local, Em vez de intrigar por expediente da afiliado ao partido no poder DPP. No ractificação da proposta de lei , MACRA sector de radiodifusão, MACRA emitiu adquiriu equipamento para monitorar os licenças a novas estações de televisão, sistemas nacionais de telecomunicações, nomeadamente: Galaxy TV, African Bible inclusive o conteúdo da comunicação College (ABC) TV, Channel for All Nations privada do individuo. (CAN) TV e Gateway TV. Enquanto não estava claro de quem Estado da mídia de impressão era o dono da Gateway TV ou Galaxy TV, os relatórios da mídia reivindicaram que A mídia de impressa permaneceu a Galáxia pertencia a familia do Presi- como um privilégio exclusivo de poucos

76 So This is Democracy • 2011 Malauianos que podem dispor comprar parte dos desafios operacionais também pelo menos dois jornais por dia. Como a enfrentados pelas casas da mídia. maioria dos Malauianos está constante- Enquanto o mercado da mídia de mente debaixo de uma ameaça de segu- impressão é pequeno devido a baixas rança alimentar, como vivem por menos rendas disponíveis entre a maioria dos de 1 USD por dia, o mercado domés- Malauianos, o mercado está cada vez tico da mídia de impressão é altamente mais encolhendo enquanto os clientes limitado ao mais rico por 10 por cento, existentes estão mudando para a mídia o qual cuja renda mediana é três vezes on-line como fonte ‘livre’ de notícias daquela do mais pobre por 10 por cento. e informações. Muitos influenciam as Os dois maiores publicadores circu- organizaçoes da mídia de impressão a lam 10 a 18 mil copias de jornais num elaborarem uma versão on-line das suas país de 14 milhões de habitantes. O sec- publicaçoes, mas tais gastos não ofer- tor permanece um oligopólio dominado ecem muito retorno no investimento, se por títulos da Nation Publications Lim- não mesmo nenhum. ited (NPL) e estábulos da Blantyre News- papers Limited (BNL). Um dos novos Estado do ICT e órgãos mais recentes e notáveis neste Telecomunicações sector é o Sky News, que especialisa-se no assassinato do carácter político e está Conduzido por MACRA, Malauí ex- ligado ao partido no poder DPP. pressou oficialmente a vontade e com- A mídia de impressão em Malauí está promisso de migrar para a radiodifusão operando em condições econômicas me- digital até 2015, prazo fixado pela União donhas como o governo introduziu um Internacional de Telecomunicações (ITU). imposto de 16.5% no preço da capa dos A SADC fixou o prazo final para 2013. produtos de impressão em adição aos Mas a natureza prática da migração 15% do direito de importação em jor- digital e seus potenciais beneficios nas nais e outras contribuições importadas. audiências de radiodifusão não foram O preço da capa de diários subiu de K120 extensivamente publicitados, diexando (cerca de US$0.73) em Novembro de muita gente na escuridão e muitas vozes 2010 para K200 (cerca de US$1.22) em marginalizadas. novembro de 2011. Os jornais semanais A taxa de penetração do ICT em subiram de K200 (cerca de US$1.22) para Malauí permanece o mais baixo na K240 (cerca de US$1.46). região. Apenas 4.5 por cento da popu- A situação é agravada por escassez lação usam a Internet. Baixos níveis de de câmbio exterior e combustíveis. Para familiarização com computador, custo operar, a mídia de impressão recorreram elevado dos serviços de Internet, infra- a fontes alternativas de câmbio exterior estruturas pobres e escassez de ele- e combustiveis, que são muito exorbi- tricidade são alguns dos retrocessos tantes. Interrupçoes eléctricas e abas- principais aos avanços da ICT e teleco- tecimento inconsistente da água fazem municações. Além disso, a Acta das Co-

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municações (1998) é antiquada e per- Muitos jornalistas praticam blogging mite interferências políticas incessantes como uma forma de jornalismo para evi- nos negócios de telecomunicações. tar editoriamento ou ego-censura nas casas publicas da mídia. A mídia tam- Relações de gênero bém participam em fóruns profissionais reflectivos, tais como o grupo Google, Afim de criar uma prática consciente MISA-Malawi e-forum, onde a crítica do gênero na mídia, organizaçoes noti- sobre o desempenho da mídia é o foco ciosas da midia traçaram e implementa- principal. ram políticas de gênero. Em Fevereiro de Durante a demonstração em massa 2011, mais de dez casas de mídia lançar- no dia 20 de Julho, o sistema on-line am políticas organizacionais no gênero foi a fonte de informação mais segura com apoio da Gender Links. Enquanto a e mais acessada , especialmente quando institucionalização do gênero nos locais a MACRA proibiu a transmissão ao vivo de trabalho da mídia é um passo muito de eventos relacionados aos protes- significante nos esforços da criação de tos. Compartilhamento de informaçoes uma prática de igualdade do gênero na através de redes sociais tornou-se numa midia, a monitorização e suporte desta ferramenta vital para a democratização iniciativa é necessaria. Actualmente a em Malauí especialmente quando as cegueira do gênero, estereotipo osten- tendencias actuais da mídia são amor- sivo e sutil permanece como um prob- daçadas pelo governo ou políticas edi- lema no conteúdo da mídia. Em geral, toriais. todas publicaçoes da mídia têm dado deliberadamente proeminência a violen- Conclusão cia no genero e promoveram o contúdo do gênero e HIV/SIDA. A resiliência em tempos de tribu- lação e as tarefas nobres que a mídia em Novos Meios de Comunicação Malauí executaram em 2011 são marcos e Redes Sociais miliários no desenvolvimento de uma democracia de imprensa madura. A mí- Os jornalistas de Malaui abraçaram dia continua participando activamente o sistema de notícias on-line como uma na construção da nação mesmo sobre ferramenta de democratização. A maio- hostilidade política e crise econômica. ria das casas de mídia têm publicações As redes de advocacia e resoluçoes para on-line e o número de sites notíciosos defender a liberdade de imprensa estão online tem crescido. Estes sites têm mui- inflenciando as decisões do governo pois tas características interactivas para a que é evidente o modo como leis regres- participação dos usuários, inclusive fa- sivas foram encaminhadas para uma re- cilidades de conteúdos produzidos pelo visão legal. usuário. A crise econômica, impunidade da elite governante, o legado de leis antigas

78 So This is Democracy • 2011 draconianas e baixa penetração da mídia Alert em Malauí são desafios principais que Date: January 13, 2011 requerem intervenção e monitorização Person/ institution: Kandani Ngwira, em 2012. O objectivo deve ser, criar gan- Blantyre Newspapers Limited hos existentes tais como poder da mídia Violation/ issue: Victory social e zelo da influencia da mídia para The Lilongwe Magistrate Court on expandir o espaço da liberdade de imp- Wednesday, 12 January 2011 granted bail rensa através do Projecto lei de Acesso a to Kandani Ngwira, a reporter working Informação, revisão da Acta das Comu- for Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL), nicações (1998), revisão das leis de pro- publishers of The Daily Times, Weekend cedimentos civis, e também a revisão da Times, Malawi News and the Sunday Seção 46 do Código penal Times. The Police alleged that Ngwira Se a actual crise financeira não é ne- was sending phone messages (SMS) to gociada correctamente e a impunidade Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City do governo para com as recomendações South Honorable Agnes Pene-Mulungu da sociedade civil sobre boa governação that her husband was having extra- continuar, a midia em Malauí poderá marital affairs with young girls in the esperimentar uma tragédia dupla, onde city and that the journalist was going to a anarquia política poderá freqüente- publish the story in the Weekend Times. mente romper o comércio e o mercado da mídia poderá encolher. Communiqué Date: January 13, 2011 Person/ institution: MISA-Malawi Violation/ issue: Legislation Efforts by the Media Institute of Southern Africa Malawi Chapter (MISA-Malawi) to have the Access to Information (ATI) Bill enacted are slowly but surely bearing fruits. This follows release of a draft Policy on Access to Information by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.

Alert Date: April 15, 2011 Person/ institution: Malawi Human Rights Commission Violation/ issue: Legislation Malawi’s Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo has adjourned to April 11, 2011, hearing of a case in which the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is challeng-

So This is Democracy • 2011 79 Malawi

ing the constitutionality of Section 46 of was for the first time since 2002 held in the Penal Code. Mzuzu City, Northern Malawi.Since 2010, The section, which was amended by par- MISA Malawi has been rotating main liament in November 2010, empowers celebrations for WPFD in all the regions the Minister of Information to ban either of the country to broaden participation importation or publication of materials and hype and excitement as both the which, according to the minister, are not media and members of the public have in the public interest. an opportunity to take part in the celebrations. Communiqué Date: April 20, 2011 Alert Person/ institution: Fergus Date: June 22, 2011 Cochrane-Dyet Person/ institution: Democratic Violation/ issue: Legislation Progressive Party Government authorities in Malawi are Violation/ issue: Legislation tight lipped over reports of expulsion of The ruling Democratic Progressive British High Commissioner to Malawi, Party (DPP) has taken advantage of its Fergus Cochrane-Dyet. According to numerical advantage in parliament to published reports, Dyet has been given pass a controversial injunctions bill into 72 hours from Monday, 19 April 2011, law. The bill calls for an inter-partes to leave the country. The reasons for hearing whenever an injunction is being the British envoy’s expulsion were not sought against any arm of government. clear as government had not yet issued The bill further requires that government a statement on the matter. be given notice of three days before the inter-partes hearing is conducted. Communiqué Date: April 27, 2011 Communiqué Person/ institution: Media Date: June 16, 2011 Violation/ issue: Other Person/ institution: Weekend Times Journalists in Malawi on Saturday, 23 Violation/ issue: Victory April 2011, went to the street to march in The government of Malawi has finally commemoration of World Press Freedom lifted a ban imposed on the Weekend Day (WPFD). The aim of the regional Times, a sensational weekly tabloid celebrations is to broaden participation. which had sought relief from the High All journalists, media freedom and Court to continue publishing after the freedom of expression advocates across ban in October 2010. The newspaper was the country would be able to take part in banned one year after its first edition be- the celebrations. cause the paper was not registered with May 12, 2011: The 2011 World Press the National Archives of Malawi. Freedom Day (WPFD) main celebrations were held in style in Malawi as the event

80 So This is Democracy • 2011 Alert Communiqué Date: July 11, 2011 Date: July 15, 2011 Person/ institution: Malawi Human Person/ institution: Blantyre Rights Commission (MHRC) Newspapers Limited (BNL) and Violation/ issue: Legislation Nation Publications Limited (NPL) Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo has al- Violation/ issue: Legislation lowed the Malawi Human Rights Com- Malawi’s two major print media houses, mission (MHRC) to file for certification Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL) and of the amended Section 46 of the Pe- Nation Publications Limited (NPL) have nal Code. The Chief Justice has further announced new cover prices. This fol- dismissed arguments from the attorney lows government’s introduction of a general who wanted the court to throw 16.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) to out the matter. newspapers. Through separate notices August 19, 2011: Chief Justice Lovemore published in the two dailies, NPL and Munlo on Thursday, 11 August 2011 post- BNL announced that The Nation and The poned to a later date hearing of Section Daily Times respectively, as well as Na- 46 of the Penal Code after lawyers repre- tion On Sunday and The Sunday Times senting Malawi Human Rights Commis- will be selling at MK200 (about US$1.33) sion (MHRC) were not available for the per copy from MK170 (about US$1.13). proceedings to start. Reports indicate that lawyer for MHRC, Chrispin Sibande, Alert who is also Deputy Director of Legal Ser- Date: July 19, 2011 vices at the Commission, communicated Person/ institution: Zodiak to the court that he would not be avail- Broadcasting Station (ZBS) able for the case as he had travelled. Violation/ issue: Assaulted December 9, 2011: The Malawi govern- The situation is tense at Zodiak Broad- ment has referred to the Law Commission casting Station (ZBS), a privately owned for review some draconian laws recently radio station located in the Capital Li- passed in Parliament. The decision to longwe, where two of its vehicles have have the laws reviewed was announced been attacked by thugs on two separate by Minister of Justice and Constitutional occasions. The first incident took place Affairs Ephraim Chiume and Leader of on Sunday, 17 July 2011 while the sec- the House George Chaponda at a press ond incident occurred 18 July 2011 nigh. conference held in the Capital Lilongwe, According to sources, masked men were on Wednesday 7 December 2011. seen throwing stones and petrol bombs at the ZBS branded vehicles.

So This is Democracy • 2011 81 Communiqué Corporation (MBC) and the appointment Date: July 28, 2011 is with immediate effect from 6 Septem- Person/ institution: Millennium ber 2011. Challenge Corporation (MCC) Violation/ issue: Other Alert The international community continues Date: September 9, 2011 to withhold aid to Malawi following Person/ institution: Blantyre what they have described as the coun- Newspapers Limited (BNL) try’s poor economic policies, deterio- Violation/ issue: Other rating human rights standards and bad Tension has engulfed staff of Blantyre governance. In the latest development, Newspapers Limited (BNL) following re- the Millennium Challenge Corporation trenchment of eight journalists and oth- (MCC), a U.S. Government agency, has er members of staff at the company. BNL announced that it is deeply concerned is a subsidiary of Blantyre Print and Pub- by recent events in Malawi and is plac- lishing (BP & P), publishers of The Daily ing an immediate hold on all program Times (the country’s oldest daily), Ma- operations in order to review its partner- lawi News (the country’s oldest weekly), ship with Malawi, including whether to The Sunday Times, The Weekend Times recommend to its Board of Directors to and Times Lifestyle Magazine (a quar- suspend or terminate its assistance. terly magazine). According to newspaper reports, the eight media practitioners are Communiqué part of 44 members of staff BP & P has Date: September 9, 2011 dismissed to allegedly salvage the com- Person/ institution: Parliament pany. Violation/ issue: Legislation Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika Alert on 7 September 2011 announced a new Date: September 13, 2011 cabinet which has seen the bouncing Person/ institution: Ernest Mahwayo back of former Minister of Information Violation/ issue: Detained and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati to Police on 12 September 2011 arrested head Ministry of Information and Civic journalist Ernest Mhwayo for allegedly Education, a ministry she has headed taking pictures of President Bingu wa before. Kaliati has replaced Simon Vuwa Mutharika’s Ndata Farm without permis- Kaunda who has been deployed to head sion. Ndata Farm is President Mutharika’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. retirement residence in his home district Kaliati is known for her openness with of Thyolo, Southern Malawi. The Farm the media. She was dropped by Muth- recently came under the spotlight when arika from cabinet two years ago. The civil society leaders requested the presi- 30 member cabinet was announced on dent to explain his wealth. state-controlled Malawi Broadcasting September 16, 2011: Journalist Ernest

82 So This is Democracy • 2011 Mahwayo, who was arrested on Monday, trolled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation 12 September 2011 for allegedly taking (MBC) following disagreements between pictures of President Bingu wa Muth- the two parties over issues surrounding arika’s Ndata Farm without permission, the merger of Malawi Television (TVM) has pleaded not guilty to the charge of and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation conduct likely to cause breach of peace (MBC) Radio services. and has since been granted bail. The October 12, 2011: Some members of staff case appeared before magistrate Anne have spent their third day at state-con- Chikhadzula on Wednesday, 14 Septem- trolled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation ber 11, two days after the arrest. (MBC) following a court order issued by the High court on 28 September 2011, Communiqué which directed that the employees had Date: September 12, 2011 to go back to their previous workplaces. Person/ institution: MISA Malawi The reinstated workers were previously Violation/ issue: Legislation redeployed to various government de- The Malawi Chapter of the Media Insti- partments and institutions following the tute of Southern Africa (MISA) has new merging of MBC Television and radio. National Governing Council (NGC) members based on latest constitutional provi- Alert sions that reduced the number of elected Date: September 16, 2011 NGC members from 7 to 3. The new NGC Person/ institution: McDonald comprises Chairperson Anthony Kasun- Sembereka, da, a news analyst from one of the pub- Violation/ issue: Bombed lishing giants Nation Publications Limit- Civil Society groupings in Malawi have ed; Deputy Thom Khanje, Business Editor accused President Bingu wa Mutharika’s from another giant Blantyre Newspapers administration of muzzling freedom of Limited, Publishers of the Daily Times, expression following alleged arson at- Weekend Times, Sunday Times, Malawi tack on a house belonging to McDonald News and Life Style Magazine. Former Sembereka, coordinator of a grouping of Treasurer, Suzgo Khunga also from Blan- human rights organizations. Sembereka, tyre Newspapers Limited, has maintained Acting National Coordinator of Human her position as Treasurer. Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), had his house allegedly petrol bombed Communiqué on Saturday, September 10, by unknown Date: September 16, 2011 arsonists. The house is located in Balaka Person/ institution: Malawi district, Eastern Malawi. Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Violation/ issue: Legislation A court battle has erupted between employees and management of State-con-

So This is Democracy • 2011 83 Alert casters, Capital FM and Radio Islam for Date: September 23, 2011 various offences. According to a public Person/ institution: Civil Society notice published by MACRA on Octo- Violation/ issue: Other ber 7, Capital FM has been warned for Talks between government and the broadcasting a programme in which a country’s civil society have hit a snag caller insulted the country’s state presi- following a decision by the rights groups dent Bingu Wa Mutharika during the to temporarily pull out of the talks station’s ‘Day Break Malawi Programme’ claiming that lives of some Civil Society of 28th April, 2011. (CS) leaders are in danger. Talks between government and CSO leaders began on Communiqué 16 August 2011 with the United Nations Date: October 12, 2011 team in Malawi led by the UN resident Person/ institution: MISA-Malawi coordinator Richard Dictus, as mediator. Violation/ issue: Other The golden padlock award for the most Alert secretive government institution has for Date: September 23, 2011 the first time since 2009 been accepted Person/ institution: Civil Society by the Ministry of Energy, Natural Organizations Resources and Environment. The award Violation/ issue: Other was given out on October 5, 2011 at an Some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) event in the capital Lilongwe, where the in the country are urging members of Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of the public to stay away from work for Southern Africa (MISA) unveiled results three days from 21 September, to force for the 2011 Right to Know Research President Bingu Wa Mutharika to address study. During the same event, the golden what they describe as poor economic key award, which is given to the most and governance issues. Coincidentally, open and transparent government Malawi and the rest of the world institution, was awarded to Malawi commemorated world peace day on the Bureau of Standards (MBS). same day. Alert Alert Date: October 12, 2011 Date: October 12, 2011 Person/ institution: Robert Chasowa Person/ institution: Malawi Violation/ issue: Other Communications Regulatory One of Malawi’s leading pathologists Violation/ issue: Legislation Dr. Charles Dzamalala from College of The country’s communications regula- Medicine, a constituent College of the tory body, the Malawi Communications University of Malawi, has said a 25-year- Regulatory Authority (MACRA), has is- old Polytechnic student who died under sued warnings to two private broad- controversial circumstances, did not

84 So This is Democracy • 2011 commit suicide. The student, Robert as guaranteed in sections 35 and 36 of Chasowa was found dead at the College the Republic of Malawi Constitution, campus in the early hours of September respectively. 24, 2011.

Alert Date: October 12, 2011 Person/ institution: Youth for Freedom and Democracy Violation/ issue: Detained The police in Blantyre are keeping in custody a youth activist Alex Moses, who is the president of an organisation known as Youth for Freedom and Democracy (YFD). Moses was denied bail by the Blantyre Magistrate court on September 29, following his arrest by the police on grounds that he was publishing and distributing a publication which the police said was seditious. According to the police, the publication, known as ‘Political Update’ was insulting State President Bingu Wa Mutharika.

Communiqué Date: 26 October 2011 Person/ institution: United Nations Human Rights Committee Violation/ issue: Other The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter Chairperson Anthony Kasunda is among the Malawi delegation of Civil Society leaders who on Monday, October 24, addressed the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. Kasunda seized the opportunity to inform the UN on the serious threats that Section 46 of the Penal Code as amended poses to Freedom of Expression and the press

So This is Democracy • 2011 85 National By José Paulo Machicane, Overview a journalist based in Maputo. He is also a social and political Mozambique commentator. 2011

86 So This is Democracy • 2011 Introduction State of Print media

Access to Information While there has been considerable penetration of new media technologies Repeated public statements by some within the media market, the printed word members of the House of Assembly on remains a key source of information for the need for Mozambique to adopt a law many Mozambicans, especially those who promoting access to information have live in the urban areas. consistently brought optimism but 2011 There were attempts to curtail press passed without nothing concrete being freedom in 2011 as the Press of Law of achieved on this front. 1991 remained intact. But also, the eco- A draft Law on Access to Information nomic and financial strength of most was submitted several years ago by MISA- newspapers came under close scrutiny as Mozambique to the legislature and atten- possible developments that, if in the nega- tion was brought on the same in 2011 but tive, could hamper press freedom. the proposals were relegated, almost to the In a country where the largest share dustbin, as the year passed without their of income comes from advertising debate in the House. and announcements - and these are The inaction of Parliament in relation controlled by a few large companies and/ to discussion and approval of legal instru- or institutions - print media became easy ment in question stands against the default targets from political interests that are constitutional right of access to informa- invested in various businesses. Hence, tion. As a result, despite such constitution- newspapers and magazines that are al guarantees for access to information, deemed to be unfavourable to these public offices in Mozambique inhibit the businesses and by extension the political same. This situation, unfortunately, leads interests embedded within them were to other rights of citizens being violated denied the much-needed advertising as or, in worst-case scenarios, being restricted. a way of limiting their level of operation. More significantly, the work of jour- Indeed, reports emerged where this nalists is hampered in such environments practice was confirmed by those in busi- because without access to information, the ness who said they were acting on “supe- press cannot fully execute their watchdog rior orders” in their denial of advertising mandate and also that the very fact of revenue to selected publications. The result their being hindered from accessing vital was devastating for targeted newspapers public information, restrictions are placed as they saw their revenue dwindle while on their freedom. staff turnover shot up and the quality of their products got compromised.

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State broadcast media tion. Signs of this happening have been shown already in sporadic cases during The absence of a law on broadcasting the year under review. and television prevailed in Mozambique in After the demonstrations against the 2011, keeping fertile the ground for chaos cost of living in 2010, the scrutiny of the in the licensing of FM radios for instance. state over mobile telephone operators be- This free-for-all approach became a threat came more aggressive. Ever since that time, itself to media freedom as no rules for op- the government has called for all mobile eration were set, let alone adopted as a users to be registered with their network, plausible code of conduct. failure of which will result in the loss of a The lack of regulation of radio and tel- phone number. evision industry, therefore, is responsible However, statistics show that six mil- for the disordering of the geographical lion people were using mobile phones in distribution of radio and television services, Mozambique but Internet access and use resulting in the concentration of resources remained the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. in certain areas and lack of the same in others. New Media and Social The population’s access to informa- Networking tion and the right to freedom of expression and press freedom through radio and tel- Social networking websites like Face- evision are only better protected by a law book are becoming very popular, especially that meets the specifics of these vehicles. amongst the youth. Various media houses And just as was the case with print media, and journalists are beginning to use this big business had a major say in how the tool to stir debate and also gather useful advertising cake was sliced and distrib- information. This is a welcome develop- uted across the industry. Appointments to ment when considered against the back- public broadcasters were made and these ground of promoting freedom of expres- reflected strong biases towards the gov- sion. ernment. The strength of social networks in Mo- zambique has already been witnessed in Information and 2010 when the violence of popular revolt Communication Technologies against the cost of living in Mozambique was reflected in various media platforms, As new media technologies gain including Facebook and Twitter, which gave currency within Mozambique, proving tremendous insights to all those beyond themselves to be effective tools for citi- Mozambique’s borders in the aftermath of zen empowerment and the democratiza- a government blackout on information. tion of information, it is likely that the government will awaken to their power and therefore actively pursue legislation that seeks to prevent their prolifera-

88 So This is Democracy • 2011 Conclusion and Projections for 2012 PORTUGUESE The state of the media in Mozambique VERSION in 2011 gave consistency to the idea that violent repression and freedom of the press and other related freedoms may become a Introdução thing of the past if urgent attention is not paid to the deteriorating situation. Acesso à Informação While there were no incidences of As reiteradas declarações públicas death, injury or imprisonment of journal- da direção máxima da Assembleia da ists, this does not mean that the environ- República de Moçambique e de deputa- ment was at all times free. There is still dos membros da comissão parlamentar greater need for public officials, for exam- responsável pelos assuntos da comuni- ple, to respect the media and afford them cação social em 2011 sobre a pertinên- all the assistance they need in accessing cia de Moçambique ter uma lei sobre o information. Also, the apparent decrease acesso à informação geraram um grande in the use of criminal defamation laws as optimismo no seio da sociedade, mas o a way of targeting press freedom further ano passou e essa expectativa geral, já proves that some progress is being made. antiga, voltou a ser defraudada. Yet, the disproportionate influence of Depois de o Projecto de Lei de Acesso big business in the budgets of media com- à Informação submetida há já vários anos panies, as well as resistance to remove the pelo MISA-Moçambique ter sido dado remnants of colonial practices by modern- como prioritário pelo órgão legislativo ising the legal framework governing the moçambicano para o ano parlamentar media are some of the hurdles to overcome 2011, o documento foi progressivamente going into the future. passado ao esquecimento até o ano find- ar sem que o seu debate e aprovação em plenária fossem efectivados. De resto, o aparente entusiasmo da Assembleia da República no início de 2011 com a perspectiva de Moçambique passar a contar com uma Lei de Acesso à Informação esmoreceu por completo e não mais se falou do documento nos últimos dias do ano na chamada “casa do povo”. Pormenor da conferência sobre os Novos Media e a Liberdade de Expressão em Moçambique, organizada em 2011 pela UNESCO e parceiros por ocasião do

So This is Democracy • 2011 89 Mozambique

Dia da Liberdade de Imprensa. de novas plataformas neste domínio, a A inação da Assembleia da República imprensa, tomada aqui no sentido estri- em relação à discussão e aprovação do to, continua a ser um importante veículo, instrumento jurídico em causa coloca nomeadamente nas zonas urbanas. este órgão na despudorada situação de O papel central da imprensa escrita, violador por omissão do direito constitu- passe a redundância, no espectro da cional de acesso à informação. comunicação social em Moçambique, Apesar de previsto na lei-mãe da divisa-se sem dificuldades no facto de República, o direito à informação em ter sido a mais atingida por tentativas de Moçambique continua coarctado, uma cerceamento da liberdade de imprensa vez que os deputados teimam em não em 2011. avançar com um diploma que regula- Abandonada a cultura da censura e mente esse bem público fundamental. repressão direta, com a aprovação da Lei Na linguagem dos jurisconsultos, o de Imprensa de 1991, o condicionamen- direito constitucional à informação em to económico e financeiro passou a ser o Moçambique mantém-se imperfeito, instrumento mais recorrente nas tentati- pois está previsto no mais importante es- vas de impedir ou limitar a liberdade de tatuto jurídico da Nação, mas não acar- expressão dos jornais. reta por enquanto nenhuma consequên- E 2011 não foi regra no recurso a esse cia para quem não o respeitar ou violar. novo “lápis azul”, a cor que simboliza a É escusado expender sobre os efeitos repressão à liberdade de imprensa no perniciosos da ausência de uma lei que tempo do colonialismo português em concretize o direito dos cidadão à infor- Moçambique. mação, desde logo porque esta omissão Num país em que a maior fatia dos redunda no cerceamento de outros direi- rendimentos provenientes da publici- tos e liberdades fundamentais. dade e anúncios é garantida por algu- Com a falta dessa norma estão ar- mas grandes empresas e/ou instituições, madilhados bens importantes como a a imprensa mais inconveniente foi facil- liberdade de imprensa, porque não existe mente visada por medidas de verdadeira imprensa livre sem acesso à informação, asfixia financeira, como forma de a obri- ou a liberdade de expressão, porque lhe gar “a entrar na linha”. faltará o condimento essencial do acesso Gestores de jornais continuaram a à informação. queixar-se de terem sido excluídos de contratos de publicidade vantajosos pelo Estado dos Meios de facto de seguirem uma linha editorial Comunicação Social supostamente hostil a este ou aquele Impressos poder. Apesar de Moçambique estar tam- Foram até citados casos de respon- bém a sofrer as profundas transfor- sáveis de setores comerciais de grandes mações que atingem a área dos meios de empresas terem descartado este ou comunicação social, devido ao advento aquele jornal supostamente a mando de

90 So This is Democracy • 2011 “ordens superiores”. da rádio e televisão só estão melhor sal- Os carteis em que as grandes empre- vaguardados com uma lei que atenda sas e/ou instituições se transformaram às especificidades destes veículos, o que no modo como distribuem os anúncios não aconteceu em 2011, como não acon- comerciais na imprensa outorgou-lhes teceu nos anos anteriores a esse. um poder desenfreado sobre a impren- Os canais de rádio e televisão hostis sa, dando-lhe a prerrogativa de decidir a certos poderes também se ressenti- que jornal continuar a subsistir e qual a ram dos monopólios do mercado de abater. publicidade, perdendo contratos impor- O resultado disso foi que vários jor- tantes por terem mantido esta ou aquela nais entraram em crise, sofreram uma postura em relação a assunto candentes colossal sangria de jornalistas e viram a da realidade social, política e económica sua qualidade e liberdade de actuação do país. degradados. O debate sobre o modo de desig- nação dos gestores da rádio e televisão Estado da Radiodifusão e públicos, considerados muito concentra- Televisão dos no Governo, pontuaram igualmente 2011, mas sem que se verificassem avan- A ausência de uma lei da radiodi- ços no sentido da clarificação do tema. fusão e televisão em Moçambique prev- aleceu em 2011, mantendo fértil o caos Tecnologias de Comunicação no licenciamento das rádios em FM, que e Informação continuaram a proliferar nesse ano. Com mais essa omissão legislativa, À medida que se populariza a utili- protagonizada pelos que têm o poder/ zação das novas tecnologias de comu- dever de aprovar normas, a rádio e tele- nicação e informação e tornam-se num visão funcionaram em Moçambique num instrumento de exercício de poder e ci- ambiente de selva, constituindo-se, par- dadania, as instituições estatais vão se adoxalmente, eles próprios, em ameaças dando conta de que devem reforçar o ou atentados a direitos e liberdades con- controlo sobre estes meios. Moçambique sagradas na Constituição. não é excepção a estas tendências e 2011 A falta de regulamentação do setor consolidou-as. de rádio e televisão é responsável pelo Após as manifestações contra o desordenamento geográfico da dis- custo de vida em 2010, o escrutínio do tribuição dos serviços de rádio e tele- Estado sobre os operadores de telefonia visão, resultando na concentração destes móvel tornou-se mais agressivo, tendo meios em determinados locais e ausência se aumentado em 2011 a pressão para ou défice noutros. que todos os utentes de telemóvel fos- O acesso da população à informação sem registados, sob pena de perda do bem como o exercício do direito de ex- número de telefone. pressão e liberdade de imprensa através

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No segundo dia das escaramuças, manancial de informação dos parceiros em 2010, provocadas por uma revolta das redes formadas à volta do facebook. convocada pelo “passa a palavra” do O olhar mais pessoal do jornalista, telemóvel, as autoridades já tinham da- incompatível com o estatuto editorial do dos mostras de que não hesitariam em jornalista, também foi vertido no face- condicionar a utilização deste meio de book, como aconteceu nas eleições mu- comunicação, bloqueando por completo nicipais intercalares de 07 de dezembro, o fluxo do serviço de mensagens. assim como as impressões de cidadãos O sector das tecnologias de comu- anónimos sobre assuntos candentes da nicação e informação em Moçambique vida política, económica e social. consolidaram em 2011 as ambiguidades A força das redes sociais em Moçam- na forma como se expandem. Enquanto bique já tinha emergido em 2010, quan- o telemóvel já era detido por cerca de seis do a violência da revolta popular contra milhões de utentes nesse ano, o acesso à o custo de vida em Moçambique foi Internet continuou dos mais baixos da repercutida em várias plataformas de África sub-sahariana. media, incluindo facebook e twitter, que chegou a servir de fonte para a imprensa internacional. Novos Meios de Comunicação Mas há sinais de que a censura e Redes Sociais alargou também os seus tentáculos às redes sociais. Há relatos de perseguição O fenómeno das redes sociais, prin- movida contra usuários de redes sociais cipalmente o facebook, conservou em por opiniões difundidas neste meio. 2011 a euforia com que a população urbana moçambicana despertou para esta ferramenta. Conclusão e Projecções para Na inacessibilidade aos tradicionais 2012 meios de comunicação social, devido às restrições que lhes são intrínsecas, a O estado dos meios de comunicação juventude, sobretudo esta, tem recor- social em 2011 em Moçambique deu rido ao facebook para exercer o direito consistência à ideia de que a repressão elementar à expressão. violenta e física à liberdade de impren- Informações de relevância nacional sa e outras que lhe são conexas é coisa na posse de jornalistas e não só foram do passado e só esporadicamente pode divulgadas pelo facebook, alargando-se ocorrer. com esse recurso o espaço de debate e A ausência de episódios de morte, mobilização cívica. agressão, prisão de jornalistas ou en- Matérias residuais dos jornalistas, cerramento administrativo de órgãos que não cabem nos limites das laudas de comunicação social em 2011 em dos jornais ou nos tempos de antena das Moçambique testemunha um gradual rádios e jornais foram enriquecendo o amadurecimento do país em relação à

92 So This is Democracy • 2011 necessidade do respeito das liberdades Alert essenciais ao funcionamento da comu- Date: March 1, 2011 nicação social. Person/ institution: Victor Muvale, A prevalência de um ambiente rela- Diario de Mocambique tivamente favorável à abertura de em- Violation/ issue: Threatened presas de comunicação social, sobretudo Three members of the police have threat- jornais, atesta igualmente o caráter pro- ened to kill journalist Victor Muvale, who gressista da Lei de Imprensa de 1991. is the correspondent in the southern A aparente diminuição em 1991 da city of Xai-Xai of the Beira daily paper chamada “jurisdicionalização” dos pro- “Diario de Mocambique”. The three were cessos-crime por acusação de abuso da infuriated with Muvale because he wrote liberdade de imprensa prova igualmente an article, published on 3 January 2011, que começa a ficar assente nos círculos about the policemen beating up a young de poder em Moçambique que os abu- man, Narciso Nuvunga, whom they sos da liberdade de imprensa combatem caught for not carrying his identity card. com liberdade de imprensa e não com a mordaça. Apesar dessas perspetivas animado- ras, a comunicação social moçambicana move-se ainda em territórios muitos tor- tuosos enfrentando desafios gigantescos. A desmedida influência dos grandes grupos económicos no orçamento das empresas de comunicação social, bem como a resistência em remover os resquícios dos tempos colonial e de partido único e em modernizar o quadro jurídico regulador da comunicação social são alguns dos obstáculos a transpor por parte da comunicação social no país.

So This is Democracy • 2011 93 National By Johnathan Beukes Overview Supplements Editor of The Namibian, the biggest daily Namibia newspaper in Namibia 2011

94 So This is Democracy • 2011 Introduction Media-government relationship In this, the 20th anniversary year of It would seem that the blanket tar- the Windhoek Declaration, the media in ring of the media by members of Parlia- Namibia experienced a year of growth, ment subsided recently but comments introspection and change. The industry from two senior government ministers saw retrenchments and significant man- about the media is cause for concern. agement changes at certain media hous- Namibia’s Anti-Corruption Commis- es. There have been calls for the media to sion (ACC) head of investigations Nelius become more professional and improve Becker criticised the media, saying that the quality of journalism. news reports on corruption jeopardise There were also some positive devel- their investigations. Becker was mak- opments. The decade-long advertising ing off-the-cuff comments at a foren- and purchasing ban on Namibia’s biggest sic investigation, fraud and cyber crime selling daily newspaper, The Namibian, prevention conference in Windhoek in was lifted towards the end of the year November 2011 when he said that me- following a Cabinet directive. A number dia reports on alleged corruption do of new publications made it onto the more harm than good as those who streets, backed by big business interests, commit such crimes immediately de- which is a concern for the development stroy any evidence of the crimes. Becker of a diverse and pluralistic media envi- took a further swipe at the media when ronment, especially since most of these he questioned the authenticity of facts businesses are connected to the ruling presented in media articles regarding al- party, the South West Africa People’s Or- leged corruption. ganization (SWAPO). In November 2011 again, Youth Min- Also, being as it was the 20th an- ister, Kazenambo Kazenambo verbally at- niversary of the Windhoek Declaration, tacked the editor of the Namibian Sun, media practitioners from across Africa Jan Poolman at a press conference. Criti- again met in Windhoek for a two-day cising Poolman’s ‘unauthorised’ use of a conference to discuss current develop- Cabinet submission which considered a ments on the African media landscape N$700,000 overspending of the budget and how to overcome various challeng- for a trip to Germany by a 65-strong deles. Participants met at the Windhoek+20 egation to receive the skulls of genocide conference under the theme ‘Media in victims, Kazenambo branded Poolman Africa 20 years on: Our past, present as “insensitive”, a “bloody Boer” with a and future’ and amongst others looked “Koevoet mentality”, a “perverted mind” at media freedom 20 years on - freedom and “sick”. He also accused Poolman of of information: opportunities and obsta- “apartheid arrogance” and being “colo- cles; the Internet and the emergence of nial minded”. new media; and the increase in popular- “We will vote with our feet; we will ity of social networking sites. grab the farms; we’ll put the Constitution

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aside,” threatened Kazenambo, “should which provides for specific permissible white people not show due sensitivity restrictions on these freedoms. In ad- and respect with regard to the genocide dition, the guarantee is also subject to of more than a century ago during Ger- Article 22, the general limitation clause man colonial rule,” he said. for all rights and freedoms entrenched in Worryingly, the governing party’s the Bill of Rights. Secretary-General Pendukeni Iivula- Furthermore, the various Acts that Ithana who is also the Justice Minister establish the government-funded me- said Kazenambo was speaking in his own dia and the Communications Regulatory capacity and not that of government Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and its pre- or Swapo. Kazenambo contravened his decessor the Namibia Communications oath of office when he threatened to put Commission (NCC) make provision for the Constitution aside and did so during the Minister to appoint the governing working hours at an official press confer- board. This clearly influences the inde- ence called by his office. No action was pendence of the boards. taken against him. In 2009, after requesting input from the media and the public, the governing Constitutional rights and party bulldozed the controversial Com- legislative environment munications Act (Act No. 8 of 2009) through Parliament. The law is particu- In terms of Section 205 of the larly worrisome because of the provision Criminal Procedure Act, a magistrate is allowing state security to electronically authorised, at the request of a public intercept private individuals’ communi- prosecutor, to require any person likely cation without proper oversight of the to give material or relevant information practice being provided for. concerning an offence to attend before Namibia does not have access to in- him or her for examination by a prosecu- formation laws that enable journalists to tor. Section 189 of the Act empowers a get the most trivial of information from magistrate to enquire into any refusal by a government department. The process any person to answer any question put can sometimes become quite cumber- to him or her and to sentence that per- some as the Permanent Secretary of a son to imprisonment if there is no just particular Ministry must authorise the cause for refusing to answer the ques- release of information. tions. Given this state of affairs, the Me- The Protection of Information Act, dia Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) which imposes secrecy requirements Regional Secretariat again handed out on civil servants, inhibits the free flow awards for the most and least open in- of information. And, even though me- stitutions in the country. The Ministry of dia freedoms are provided for in Article Trade and Industry walked away with the 21 (1) (a) of the Namibian Constitution, unflattering honour of being the Namib- this guarantee is subject to Article 21 (2) ian institution that is the least transpar-

96 So This is Democracy • 2011 ent in its dealings with the public. parastatals, such as the NBC and CRAN, The absence of access to information has become problematic as quite often laws means that the work of the media boards and managers are not appointed is severely limited, and the general public on the basis of their competencies but is largely left guessing about the actual rather political allegiance. state of important governance issues. The recently established CRAN’s This situation is further exacerbated by board of directors is headed by Lazarus the fact that reliable information and Jacobs who owns a weekly newspaper, statistics are not available for most so- The Windhoek Observer, as well as an cio-economic aspects of Namibian soci- advertising agency. Government clearly ety. This makes it hard for the media to does not see the possible conflict of in- report and investigate corruption. terest arising from Jacobs’ political and business links. Online media Also, the unethical behaviour of some journalists is becoming a consider- On the ICT front, technology is still able threat to the journalistic fraternity’s too expensive and computers are too image and integrity. On the whole pro- scarce, especially in rural areas, to help fessional standards are a great concern make information truly accessible. It is on the media landscape. For instance, a estimated that only about 15 percent of journalist previously exposed for plagia- Namibians have access to computers and rism was once again involved in unpro- that Internet use is largely an urban phe- fessional conduct when it came to light nomenon. However, the use of technolo- that he had lied about having spoken to gy, especially mobile telecommunication sources when no such interviews had devices, has contributed to civic partici- taken place. Another journalist working pation and discussion of societal issues, for a weekly tabloid lifted comments as can be witnessed on the SMS pages of from a TV presenter’s Facebook page and local newspapers. Social networking sites published them as quotes in an article such as Facebook and Twitter have taken about the presenter’s personal relation- off tremendously. Mobile telephones ships. have become cheaper over the years and In another instance of unprofes- most of the latest handsets are Internet sional conduct, no less than the editor of compatible. However, the high cost and a daily newspaper lifted comments from the absence of real broadband are pro- a government document and attributed hibitive. them as quotes being made by a minister in an article. The minister in question Threats lost his temper in public and verbally assaulted the editor in question, an inci- Government’s insistence, by legally dent that has once again spotlighted the empowering line ministers to appoint tense relationship between government the boards and the senior managers of and the media in general.

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With more media houses opening were three months late at the time and their doors the dearth of well-trained the NBC remained in financial distress. journalists has become even more acute. The corporation has not paid over tax There are simply not enough journalists deducted from employees for a number appropriately trained by, for example, the of years. Senior managers at the broad- University of Namibia and the Polytech- caster also took their employer to court nic of Namibia. Many media graduates as it became clear that they were not opt for lucrative public relations jobs. considered for new strategic positions. As a result junior or untrained journal- Some of these managers earlier used ists form the majority of intake by news- their political connections to keep them rooms and no media institution has an in lucrative positions and ultimately adequate in-house training programme. caused the previous acting DG to call it This state of affairs has given rise to a day. a situation where many better trained The new board and management’s and more English proficient expatriates openness about the corporation’s chal- have found work, some probably illegally, lenges and recruitment policies and in Namibian newsrooms, often for a pit- practices is refreshing. The broadcaster tance. now has a strategic plan and although it As for investigative journalism, very might appear a little too ambitious there few investigations have been undertaken are visible improvements in programme over the course of the year in question quality and presenters. and this remains a considerable concern. The popular radio phone-in programmes controversially taken off air National broadcaster ahead of the 2009 Presidential and Na- tional Assembly elections also made a The deteriorating situation at the come-back in 2011. Namibian Broadcasting Corporation However, old habits die hard and (NBC) was temporarily arrested when a censorship once again became an issue new board of directors and new Direc- in the wake of the 2011 Namibia Annual tor General (DG) were appointed towards Music Awards when, following the ut- the end of 2010. Controversy is never far tering of an expletive on-air by a popu- from the state broadcaster though. lar musician, the NBC Director-General NBC employees were up in arms af- vowed to ban the musician’s music from ter Director-General Albertus Aochamub, the airwaves for as long as he was head- received N$90 000 after tax as a “per- ing the broadcaster. When journalists formance payment” for allegedly “reach- criticised this move during a pre-recording certain milestones” after he joined ed programme, their comments were the beleaguered corporation just eight subsequently edited out. months before. Employees were furious about the bonus, as their annual salary increments

98 So This is Democracy • 2011 Diversity DMH earlier canceled plans to sell the station, vowing to “sort out the manage- Compounding the lack of choice ment at their own pace, making it work for listeners and viewers is the fact that by hook or crook”. community media initiatives continue to An example of how big business struggle to get off the ground, mainly interfere in editorial independence oc- due to a lack of resources (human and curred in June when weekly tabloid In- technical) as well as a shortage of fre- formante, owned by Trustco Group In- quencies. On top of this, media diversity ternational, suspended senior journalist remained a concern throughout 2011 as Brigitte Weidlich and sub-editor Eliza- big business further expanded its influ- beth Mule without pay, for a story con- ence on the media landscape. cerning the termination of an agreement Already owning a monthly magazine, between Trustco mobile and Econet Prime Focus and Omaelaeti Music Pro- Wireless Zimbabwe. MISA has noted that ductions, politically connected business- there is nothing unethical about the sto- man John Walenga also opened a weekly ry that Weidlich wrote. Mule was then newspaper, The Villager. fired and Weidlich resigned. Trustco’s Democratic Media Holdings (DMH), reaction is thus outright censorship and co-owned by Desert Trade Investments flies in the face of media freedom. (DTI) as well as South African media giant Media24, announced a large-scale Developments restructuring at the group affecting all its daily publications – the Republikein, One of the more significant develop- Allgemeine Zeitung and the Namibian ments in the media sector in 2011 was Sun – in March. The restructuring has government finally coming to its senses. also claimed long-serving group execu- After a decade of persistent calls from tive editor Chris Jacobie and his brother, media freedom advocates and politi- Gert Jacobie, who headed up the group’s cians, the ruling party government this I-Media department. At least four oth- year finally lifted the advertising and er employees, including Willie Olivier, purchase ban instituted against The Na- founding Editor of Namibian Sun, were mibian in 2001 by then President Sam also retrenched. Olivier was in charge Nujoma. of DMH’s tourism media development Having spent 26 years at the helm of at the time. The group also decided to Namibia’s biggest daily newspaper Gwen discontinue the Saturday Sun and its Lister stepped aside in 2011. The Namibi- editor Tabby Moyo resigned. Later in the an appointed Tangeni Amupadhi, former year the group retrenched Namibia FM99 journalist at the paper, as Editor. station manager Sandra Williams. Some The Media Ombudsman and MISA- staff decided to walk out with her in soli- Namibia toured the country to sensitise darity. The station has not been perform- people about the work of the Media ing well financially in recent years and Ombudsman. However, media houses

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are not paying their dues to the Editors’ will continue for the foreseeable future. Forum of Namibia on time, which in turn A columnist for The Namibian, Al- makes it difficult to maintain the Media fredo Tjiurimo Hengari, wrote during the Ombudsman and the website and part- year, “weak and bad journalism has the time staff. The Editors’ Forum of Namibia potential to undermine democratic de- has also been quiet on media issues that bate and development. To have weak and required intervention during the course unqualified journalists is as good or as of 2011. bad as having incompetent and unquali- With regard to activism, MISA-Na- fied leaders. Both are toxic and retard mibia continued to lead the line. How- progress. Without exigent demands and ever, the monthly social gatherings fell rigorous judgment, some of the stories away in 2011. As it stands, journalists and columns that we now read in vari- do not have a platform to discuss is- ous papers look more like graffiti with sues pertinent to their profession. Cohe- punctuation. At present, our journalism sion and co-operation, as much as these is still crude. It ought to move beyond are required, remain absent within and the stone-age stage.” amongst media houses. As a result, de- At this year’s Namibia Media Awards bate about media issues was, unfortu- founding editor of The Namibian, Gwen nately, largely instigated by non-media Lister, the main speaker at the event, actors. expressed concern over the standard of journalism in Namibia. She said: “It is Challenges also critical that we assist our people to understand complex issues. For access to The Namibian media sector and me- information is primarily about the public dia practitioners continue to grapple right to know. I have read much of the with longstanding and numerous chal- reporting around the important issue of lenges. Some media houses are severely climate change for example, and I doubt understaffed, which negatively impacts that our readers, listeners and viewers on the quality of reportage and editorial are any the wiser, as it seems most of our services, and none of the media houses journalists don’t understand the issues has a functioning training programme in ourselves. It is important for us to give place. The staff and skills shortages mean more depth and context to our report- that very little investigative journalism is ing.” undertaken. Despite these and other challenges, Furthermore, training of journalism the Namibian media sector remains vi- students has been identified as being brant, fluid and the media continues to deficient. Tertiary institutions continue inform the general public of their rights to fall considerably short of meeting the and expose those who embezzle public needs of the industry and the shortage funds and abuse their positions. of journalists with specialised skills, such as in health and economics reporting,

100 So This is Democracy • 2011 Looking ahead PORTUGUESE The year 2012 will be another tough year for the media as the governing par- VERSION ty, Swapo will hold it’s congress to elect their candidate who would most prob- Introdução ably become Namibia’s next President. Swapo have enjoyed a large majority in Volvidos 20 anos após a Declaração all Namibia’s national and presidential de Windhoek, a mídia na Namíbia ex- elections after gaining Independence perimentou um ano de crescimento, from South Africa in 1990. introspecção e mudança. Alguns orgaos The media will speculate about and de informação tiveram que reduzir suas expose politicians’ maneuvers to secure a despesas e sofrer mudanças administra- place at the congress or on the party list. tivas significantes. Houve trabalho e so- Tempers will flare and journalists will be licitações tendentes ao profissionalismo blamed for stirring up trouble. The fact e melhoria da qualidade dos orgaos de that journalists are not united will con- informação e o jornalismo. tinue to leave them vulnerable to abuse O sector registou um desenvolvimen- and undue criticism from politicians and to positivo. A proibição da publicação e the their followers. comercialização do famoso jornal diário Journalists will continue to be ex- “The Namibian”, por uma década foi le- ploited by unscrupulous businesses and vantada. Nasceram várias publicações little job security as there is no labour novas, apoiadas pelos grandes interesses union representing the interests of those de negócios preocupados com o desen- working in the media in Namibia. Misa volvimento de um ambiente de diver- Namibia is still struggling to attract sificado da comunicação social, muitas members as journalists do not show in- vezes ligados ao partido no poder, o terest in the activities of the advocacy South West Africa People’s Organization organisation. (SWAPO). Unfortunately the NBC will continue No âmbito do 20º aniversário da to drain public coffers as the ambitions Declaração de Windhoek, represent- of the broadcaster far outstretch the antes do sector da comunicacao social possible income it can muster at the mo- provenientes de varios paises de África, ment. encontraram-se em Windhoek para uma In the year 2012 the media will con- conferência de dois dias para discutir os tinue to struggle to access vital informa- desenvolvimentos actuais do sector, bem tion as decision makers still do not see como novos desafios. Os participantes the media as a conveyor belt of informa- reuniram-se na conferência de Wind- tion to the public. There is no plan to in- hoek+20 sob o tema ‘Mídia em África 20 troduce access to information legislation anos de acção: nosso passado, presente in the near future.

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e futuro’, onde olhou-se para a liberdade para uma viagem de uma delegação de de imprensa, liberdade de informação, 65 individuos para a Alemanha, com o oportunidades e obstáculos, a Internet e fim de receber as caveiras das vítimas de a emergência de novos modelos de co- genocídio. Kazenambo apelidou Poolman municação, e o aumento da popularidade de “insensível”, “sangrento bôer”, com das redes sociais. uma “mentalidade de Koevoet”, uma mente pervertida” e “doente”. Este con- Relacionamento Mídia- tinuou acusando Poolman de “arrogân- Governo cia do apartheid” e “mente colonial.” “Nós votaremos com nossos pés; Parece que a cobertura dos assuntos nós nos apossaremos das fazendas; nós políticos tende a baixar. Os comentários colocaremos a Constituição à parte,” de dois quadros séniores do governo ameaçou Kazenambo, “se os brancos não sobre a comunicação social são preocu- mostrarem sensibilidade e respeito em pantes. relação ao genocídio ocorrido durante o O chefe de investigações A Comissão regime colonial alemão”, disse. de Anti-corrupção da Namíbia (ACC), Ne- Em tom de reacção, o Secretário- lius Becker criticou a mídia, dizendo que geral do partido no poder, Pendukeni as reportagens notíciosas sobre corrup- Iivula-Ithana que por sinal é o Ministro ção poêm em risco as suas investigações. de Justiça, disse que Kazenambo estava Becker estava fazendo um comentario falar individualmente e não em nome do improvisado numa conferência de inves- governo ou do Swapo. Kazenambo viol- tigação judicial, fraude e prevenção do ou o seu juramento de tomada de posse crime cibernético em Windhoek em No- quando ameaçou colocar a Constituição vembro de 2011, tendo dito que algumas à parte, com o agravante de tê-lo feito reportagens da mídia sobre alegados ca- durante as horas normais de expediente, sos de corrupção causam mais danos que em plena conferência de imprensa oficial beneficios, dado que destroem imediata- convocada pelo seu gabinete. Nenhuma mente qualquer evidência dos crimes. acção contra ele foi tomada. Becker foi mais adiante ao questionar a autenticidade de factos apresentados em Direitos constitucionais e o artigos da mídia sobre alegados casos da ambiente legislativo corrupção. Em Novembro de 2011, outro quadro, Nos termos da Secção 205 da Acta do o Ministro da Juventude, Kazenambo Ka- Procedimento Criminal, um magistrado zenambo atacou verbalmente o editor é autorizado, a pedido de um promotor do “Namibian Sun”, Jan Poolman numa público, exigir qualquer pessoa provável conferência de imprensa. Este alegava para dar material ou informação perti- à publicação inautorizada de uma nota nente relativa a uma ofensa, de prestar governamental que considerava o es- contas para a avaliação por um promo- banjamento de N$700,000 do orçamento tor. A secção 189 da Acta autoriza um

102 So This is Democracy • 2011 magistrado investigar qualquer recu- Permanente de um particular Ministério sa por qualquer pessoa de responder tem que autorizar a libertação de uma qualquer pergunta, e condenar aquela dada informação. pessoa à prisão caso não haja nenhuma Dada a situação, a Secretaria Region- causa justa para recusar de responder al do Media Institute of Southern Africa perguntas. (MISA), oferece prémios às instituições A Acta da Protecção de Informação mais abertas do país. Em 2011, o Minis- que impõe exigências de segredo em tério do Comércio e Indústria figurou funcionários públicos, inibe o fluxo livre na última posição por ser a instituição de informação. Embora as liberdades de Namibiana menos transparente em seus imprensa sejam providas pelo Artigo 21 procedimentos com o público. (1) (a) da Constituição Namibiana, esta A ausência de leis de acesso a infor- garantia está sujeita ao Artigo 21 (2) que mação torna o trabalho da mídia sev- prevê restrições permissíveis específicas. eramente limitado, fazendo com que o Além disso, a garantia também está su- público em geral seja especule cada vez jeita ao Artigo 22, a cláusula de limitação mais sobre os assuntos importantes de geral para todos os direitos e liberdades governação. Esta situação é exacerbada defendidos no Projecto lei sobre Direitos. pelo facto de as informações e estatísti- Além disso, os vários Artigos que cas seguras não estarem disponíveis para estabelecem os fundamentos da mídia a maioria dos aspectos socio-económi- governamental e a Autoridade Regu- cos da sociedade Namibiana. ladora das Comunicações da Namíbia (CRAN) e a sua antecedente Comissão de Midia online Comunicações da Namíbia (NCC) fazem provisão para o Ministro designar o con- A tecnologia continua sendo muito selho administrativo. Isto influencia clar- cara, os computadores mais escassos, es- amente a independência do conselho. pecialmente nas áreas rurais, dificultan- Em 2009, depois de pedir con- do o acesso à informação pelos cidadaos. tribuiçoes da mídia e do público, o parti- Estima-se que apenas 15 por cento dos do no poder limitou o controverso Artigo Namibianos tem acesso a computado- das Comunicações (Art No. 8 de 2009) res e que o uso de Internet é em grande através do Parlamento. A lei é particular- parte um fenómeno urbano. Porém, o mente inquietante por causa da provisão uso de tecnologia, especialmente dis- que permite a segurança estatal de elec- positivos de telecomunicaçoes móveis, tronicamente interceptar a comunicação contribuiu para a participação cívica e de indivíduos privados. discussão de assuntos sociais, como pode A Namíbia não tem leis que permitam ser testemunhado nas páginas de SMS os jornalistas obter as informaçoes mais dos jornais locais. Sites de redes sociais triviais a partir do departamento do gov- como Facebook e Twitter têm ganhado erno. O processo torna-se bastante incó- espaço tremendo. Os telefones móveis modo quando, por exemplo, o Secretário ficaram mais baratos ao longo dos anos

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e a maioria destes são compatíveis à In- Um outro exemplo de conduta não ternet. profissional, foi quando o editor de um jornal diário levantou comentários a Ameaças partir de um documento do governo e os atribuiu como citações feitas por A insistência do governo, em le- um ministro num artigo. O ministro em galmente autorizar os minstros de no- questão perdeu a paciência em públi- mearem os conselhos de administração co e verbalmente agrediu o editor em das empresas parastatais, como a NBC e questão, um incidente que uma vez mais CRAN, tornou-se problemática, dado que reflectiu a relação tensa entre o governo muitas vezes os presidentes dos consel- e a mídia em geral. hos são designados na base da submis- Com mais abertura de canais de co- são política. municação a carência de jornalistas bem O conselho de administração do treinados tornou-se ainda mais aguda. CRAN recentemente estabelecido é en- Simplesmente não há jornalistas pro- cabeçado por Lazarus Jacobs que possui priamente treinados pelas universidades. um jornal semanal, The Windhoek Ob- Muitos graduados em comunicação so- server, como também uma agência de cial optam por trabalhos lucrativos de publicidade. O governo claramente não relações públicas. Como resultado, os vê o possível conflito de interesse que jornalistas júniores ou destreinados for- surge das conexões políticas e empresar- mam a maioria do fluxo que entra nos iais de Jacobs. corredores de notícias e nenhum canal O comportamento anti-ético de al- tem um programa adequado de treina- guns jornalistas está se tornando numa mento interno. ameaça considerável à imagem e in- No que tange ao jornalismo investi- tegridade da fraternidade jornalística. gativo, foram empreendidas poucas in- Em todos os padrões profissionais ge- vestigações ao longo do ano em questão, rais existe uma grande preocupação na o que constitui uma preocupação con- área da mídia. Por exemplo, um jornal- siderável. ista previamente exposto por plágio foi uma vez mais envolvido em conduta Radiodifusão Nacional não profissional quando veio a luz que ele tinha mentido sobre ter falado com A situação deteriorante no Namib- fontes quando nenhuma de tais entre- ian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) foi vistas tinham sido feitas. Outro jornalista temporariamente estancada quando um que trabalha para um tablóide semanal novo conselho administrativo e um novo levantou comentários a partir da página Director Geral (DG) foram designados no do Facebook de um apresentador de tel- fim de 2010. Entretanto a controvérsia evisão e os publicou como citações em nunca está longe da rádiodifusão estatal. um artigo sobre as relações pessoais do Os funcionários da NBC estiveram de apresentador. braços levantados após o Director Geral

104 So This is Democracy • 2011 Albertus Aochamub ter recebido N$90 ando a radiodifusão. Os jornalistas criti- 000 de comissões como “pagamento de caram esta acção durante um programa desempenho” por supostamente ter “al- pré-gravado, mas os seus comentários cançado certos marcos milionários” de- foram subsequentemente censurados. pois de se juntar à corporação. Os empregados estavam furiosos pela Diversidade gratificação, dado que os incrementos de seus salários anuais estavam três meses Acrescentando à falta de escolha de atrasados na altura e a NBC permaneceu ouvintes e espectadores, a mídia comu- na angústia financeira. A corporação não nitaria continua a se defrontar como a pagou o imposto acrescido descontado falta de recursos (humanos e técnicos) nos trabalhadores durante vários anos. bem como a escassez de frequências. Os gerentes da radiodifusão por sua vez Acima disso, a diversidade da mídia con- decidiram levá-lo ao tribunal, ao se clari- tinuou sendo um desafio ao longo de ficar os factos. Alguns destes gerentes 2011. muito cedo usaram das suas conexões Após a abertura de uma revista men- políticas para se manterem em posições sal, “Prime Focus” o famoso homem de lucrativas. No final das contas, o anterior negócios com conexões políticas John DG cessou das suas funções. Walenga abriu um jornal semanal, “The O novo conselho e a a sua nova Villager”. abordagem sobre os desafios da corpo- A Democratic Media Holdings (DMH), ração e políticas de recrutamento estão co-pertença da Desert Trade Investments se refrescando. A rádiodifusão tem agora (DTI), também a gigante Sul Africana um plano estratégico e embora pareça Media24, anunciaram uma ampla re- ser um tanto quanto ambicioso, há mel- estruturação ao grupo que afecta todas horias visíveis na qualidade de progra- suas publicações diárias - o Republikein, mas e apresentadores. Allgemeine Zeitung e o Namibian Sun O programa popular de telefonemas - em Março. A reestruturação também controversamente retirado do ar durante reivindicou o longo tempo de serviço do as eleições presidenciais e legislativas de director executivo Chris Jacobie e o seu 2009 retornou em 2011. irmão, Gert Jacobie que encabeçaram o Porém, a censura tornou-se uma vez departamento I-Media do grupo durante mais um problema visível na atribuição longos anos. Pelo menos quatro outros das Premiações Musicais Anuais da funcionários, incluido Willie Olivier, editor Namíbia de 2011, seguindo-se aos pro- fundador do “Namibian Sun”, também nunciamentos de palavrões por um foram despedidos. Na ocasião, Olivier era músico popular, fazendo com que o Di- o responsavel para o desenvolvimento rector Geral da NBC jurasse proibir pas- da midia turistica do DHM.O grupo tam- sar a música daquele cantor nas ondas bém decidiu fechar o “Saturday Sun” e de informação enquanto estivesse chefi- o seu editor Tabby Moyo resignou. Mais

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tarde no mesmo ano, o grupo despediu antes foi jornalista e editor do jornal o gerente da Namibia FM99, Sandra Wil- “Paper”. liams. Parte do pessoal decidiu sair com O Provedor da Mídia e a MISA- ela, sinal de solidariedade. A estação não Namíbia percorreram o país para sentem estado bem financeiramente nos sibilizar as pessoas sobre o trabalho da anos recentes e a DMH cedo cancelou os do primeiro. Porém, os órgãos de infor- planos para vendê-la, jurando “organizar mação não têm estado a cumprir com as a administração do seu próprio jeito para suas obrigações de contribuição opor- que funcione de qualquer jeito.” tunamente, o que torna dificil manter Um exemplo de como grandes negó- o Provedor, o Website e o pessoal não cios interferem na independência edi- efectivo. O Fórum dos Editores Namibi- torial aconteceu em Junho quando um anos não se pronunciou efectivamente tablóide semanal, pertencente ao grupo sobre os assuntos de mídia que exigiram Trustco Group International, suspendeu intervenções no decorrer do ano de 2011. a jornalista sénior Brigitte Weidlich e a Com respeito ao activismo, a MISA- sua sub-editora Elizabeth Mule sem re- Namíbia continuou liderando a linha. muneração, por causa de uma história Porém, as reuniões sociais mensais referente a um acordo entre a “Trustco caíram em 2011. Como situação actual, mobile” e a “Econet Wireless Zimbabwe”. os jornalistas não têm uma plataforma A MISA notou que não há nada de an- para discutir assuntos pertinentes a sua tiético na história que Weidlich escreveu. profissão. Coesão e cooperação, como Mula foi então despedida e Weidlich estes são muito requeridos, continuam demitida. Assim a reacção da Trustco é ausentes dentro e entre os orgaos de directa e voa na face da liberdade de im- comunicação. Como resultado, debates prensa. sobre assuntos de mídia foram infelizmente, em grande parte instigados por Desenvolvimentos actores não pertencentes ao sector.

Depois de uma década de apelos Desafios ao presidente, através dos activistas da liberdade de imprensa e e dos políticos, o O sector da imprensa Namibiana e governo decidiu finalmente em 2011, le- seus agentes continuam lidando com vantar a proibição da divulgação e com- inúmeros desafios. Alguns orgaos de ercialização instituida sobre o “The Na- comunicação deparam-se com a falta mibian” em 2001, pelo então presidente severa de pessoal, o que afecta nega- Sam Nujoma. tivamente a qualidade de reportagem Tendo passado 26 anos na direcção e serviços editoriais. Nenhum orgao de do maior jornal diário da Namíbia, Gwen comunicação possui um programa de Lister retirou-se em 2011. O The Namib- treinamento contínuo. A falta de pessoal ian designou Tangeni Amupadhi, que e de habilidades significam que muito

106 So This is Democracy • 2011 pouco jornalismo investigativo é em- que parece que a maioria de nós jor- preendido. nalistas não entende os assuntos sobre Além disso, o treinamento de es- os quais reportamos. É importante que tudantes de jornalismo foi identificado demos mais profundidade e contexto à como sendo deficiente. As Instituições nossa reportagem.” terciárias continuam decaindo consid- Apesar destes e outros desafios, eravelmente no sentido de satisfazer as o sector da imprensa Namibiana per- necessidades do sector; e a escassez de manece vibrante, fluída e os orgaos de jornalistas com habilidades especializa- informação continuam informando ao das, como por exemplo na saúde e re- público em geral sobre os seus direitos, portagem económica, continuarão a ser bem como expor aqueles que desviam um desafio no futuro. fundos públicos e abusam das suas lfredo Tjiurimo Hengari, um repórter posições. para o “The Namibian”, escreveu durante o ano que “o jornalismo fraco e ruim Olhando à frente tem o potencial de arruinar o debate democrático e o desenvolvimento.Ter os O ano 2012 será outro ano dificil para jornalistas fracos e inaptos é tão ruim a imprensa. O partido no poder, SWAPO quanto ter líderes incompetentes. Ambos realizará o seu congresso eleger-se-á o sao tóxicos e retardam o progresso. Sem candidato que provavelmente tornar- demanda exigente e julgamento rigoro- sa-á no próximo Presidente da Namíbia. so, algumas histórias e colunas que nós A SWAPO desfrutou de uma maioria lemos agora em vários jornais aparentam enorme em todas as eleições presiden- mais ser pichaçoes com pontuação. De ciais nacionais da Namibia depois de momento, o nosso jornalismo ainda está ganhar a Independência da África do Sul precário...” em 1990. Nas premiações para a Midia Namibi- A imprensa especulará sobre isto e ex- ana deste ano, o editor fundador do “The porá as manobras de políticos querendo Namibian”, Gwen Lister, orador principal assegurar um lugar no congresso ou na ao evento, expressou a sua preocupação lista do parido. Os temperamentos virão sobre o padrão de jornalismo na Namíbia. à tona e os jornalistas serão responsabili- Ela disse: “É crítico que nós ajudemos às zados por incitarem conflito. A desunião pessoas a entenderem assuntos com- dos jornalistas continuará deixando-os plexos. Pois que o acesso à informação é vulneráveis ao abuso e crítica imprópria primordalmente parte do direito público de políticos e seus seguidores. de saber. Eu li muito sobre as reportagens Os jornalistas continuarão sendo ex- a volta dos assuntos importantes como plorados por negócios inescrupulosos e por exemplo, mudanças climáticas. Eu segurança do pequeno emprego já que duvido que os nossos leitores, ouvintes e não existe um sindicato que os rep- espectadores não sejam mais sábios, pois resente na Namibia. A MISA-Namíbia

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ainda está lutando para atrair membros Alert dado que os jornalistas não mostram in- Date: May 26, 2011 teresse em actividades das organizações Person/ institution: Andreas Novotny de advocacia. Violation/ issue: Beaten Infelizmente a NBC continuará usan- The Namibian Football Association (NFA) do dos cofres públicos dado que as am- Secretary General, Barry Rukoro punched bições da radiodifusão expandem para a journalist in the face at a media event além dos rendimentos possíveis neste at Soccer House on 24 May 2011. An- momento. dreas Novotny, a freelance journalist said No ano 2012 a imprensa ainda con- he was punched after he insisted on get- tinuara lutando para acessar informaçoes ting questions answered by the soccer vitais dado que os orgaos de decisão não official. vêm anida a mídia como aliada para o transporte de informação para o público. Communiqué Não existe nenhum plano de introdução Date: June 2, 2011 num futuro próximo de uma legislação Person/ institution: Law Reform and de acesso a informação. Development Commission (LRDC). Violation/ issue: Legislation A draft law forcing officials who hold public office to declare their interests, as well as those of their relatives, will be presented to the Minister of Justice Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana in 18 months’ time. The draft will cover asset declaration and include Access to Information and Conflict of Interest, according to Tousy Namiseb, chief of law reform at the Law Reform and Development Commission (LRDC).

Communiqué Date: June 9, 2011 Person/ institution: Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia Violation/ issue: Other The existing regulations, licenses and fees for broadcasting and telecommunications will remain the same until the transformation process of the Com- munications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has been completed.

108 So This is Democracy • 2011 CRAN, which supplants the Namibia Communications Commission (NCC), has Communiqué embarked on a transition process since Date: June 21, 2011 the Communications Act came into op- Person/ institution: The Villager eration on 8 May 2011. Violation/ issue: Victory The first “black-owned and black-initi- Alert ated” bi-weekly newspaper, The Villager, Date: June 16, 2011 was launched on Thursday 16 June 2011 Person/ institution: Wilfred Nyambe, by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation newspaper is an initiative of publisher, Violation/ issue: Sentenced John Walenga of Omalaeti Productions, The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation with the intention to “fill the gap by be- (NBC)’s Rundu-based reporter Wilfred coming the definitive and impartial news Nyambe was fined N$2 000 by the media”, by “complementing the policy of Hambukushu Traditional Authority for indigenisation and empowerment”. allegedly reporting a biased story about that traditional authority. The story was Alert about a resident of the Divava village, Date: June 22, 2011 who was demanding his land back from Person/ institution: Brigitte Weidlich the Hambukushu Traditional Authority”. and Elizabeth M’ule Violation/ issue: Censored Alert The Media Institute of Southern Africa Date: June 17, 2011 (MISA) Secretariat issued a statement on Person/ institution: Namibia 21 June 2011 strongly condemning the Broadcasting Corporation decision by Trustco Group International Violation/ issue: Censored to suspend Informante’s Senior Busi- The National Director of MISA Namibia, ness Journalist Brigitte Weidlich. Trustco Marbeline Mwashekele has once again Group International, a company that called for the transformation of the Na- owns Namibia’s vibrant weekly tabloid, mibian Broadcasting Corporation from Informante, suspended Weidlich with- a State Owned Broadcaster, to a Public out pay, for a story that she wrote and Service Broadcaster. Mwashekele made featured in Informante’s business sup- the remarks following a report in the plement on 16 June 2011, concerning Namibian Newspaper of 4 June 2011 the termination of agreement between entitled “NBC accused of censorship”, Trustco mobile and Econet Zimbabwe. where two local journalists called for 27 June 2011: The sub-editor of the the boycotting of ‘The Week That Was’, weekly tabloid, Informante, Elizabeth a weekly news review programme on the M’ule was on the 23 June 2011 suspend- Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) ed from duty following a story entitled, television, on 13 June 2011. “Trustco ends partnership with Zimba-

So This is Democracy • 2011 109 bwe’s Econet” that Informante Senior deals with interception of telecommu- Journalist, Brigitte Weidlich authored nications, universal service and the es- regarding altercations between Trusco tablishment of the domain name .na, are Mobile and Econet Zimbabwe. not yet finalised, said Minister of Infor- mation and Communication Technology Communiqué Joël Kaapanda. The Act was put into op- Date: July 12, 2011 eration on 18 May 2011, which was also Person/ institution: New Era when the Communications Regulatory Violation/ issue: Other Authority of Namibia (CRAN) was estab- Namibia’s only public newspaper, the lished. Kaapanda said the CRAN board New Era held a gala dinner to make the and the ministry are currently discussing celebration of its 20th anniversary on the transfer of funds and other assets 11 July 2011. The New Era newspaper and liabilities to the regulatory body. started as a weekly newspaper in 1991 September 23, 2011: The Communication under the auspices of the then Ministry Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) of Information and Broadcasting. It unveiled a new logo early this week that became a daily newspaper on 2 August it says reflects dynamism of the sector 2004. Apart from reporting in English, and the wide spectrum of the industry New Era also reports in five indigenous it serves. languages on a weekly basis. Currently, New Era has 57 employees, excluding Communiqué freelancers and correspondents. Date: September 7, 2011 Person/ institution: MISA-Namibia Communiqué Violation/ issue: Other Date: July 18, 2011 The Namibian chapter of the Media Person/ institution: Karas Institute of Southern Africa (MISA- Community Radio Namibia) on Friday, 2 September 2011 Violation/ issue: Other called for entries to its 2011 media After two weeks’ silence due to a awards. The national director of MISA- damaged transmitter, Keetmanshoop- Namibia, Marbeline Mwashekele, said based Karas Community Radio (KRC) the organization has taken on board on Friday 15 July 2011 returned to the suggestions for improvements from airwaves. industry players.

Communiqué Communiqué Date: July 18, 2011 Date: September 9, 2011 Person/ institution: Communications Person/ institution: The Namibian Regulatory Authority of Namibia Broadcasting Corporation Violation/ issue: Victory Violation/ issue: Other Parts of the Communications Act that The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation

110 So This is Democracy • 2011 (NBC) has signed a partnership agreement with the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) Africa’s better business news coverage for Namibia. CNBC Africa is distributed in 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa via Digital Satellite Television (DStv). It has bureaus in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

Communiqué Date: October 10, 2011 Person/ institution: Democratic Media Holdings Violation/ issue: Other Amid recent changes at Democratic Media Holdings (DMH), station manager of Namibia FM 99, Sandra Williams is the latest in a line of senior staff to be retrenched after six months at the helm of the recently rebranded radio station, reported the Namibian newspaper.

So This is Democracy • 2011 111 National By Jeanette Minnie Jeanette Minnie is an Overview international Freedom South Africa of Expression and Media 2011 Consultant, also known by the name of her consultancy service, Zambezi FoX.

112 So This is Democracy • 2011 Courts: Hives of Activity to no investigation at all. (The report was prepared by the former and not the At the time of writing, the Mail & current Public Protector, Thuli Madon- Guardian (M&G) newspaper, South Af- sela). The M&G therefore succeeded in rica’s prolific weekly investigative news- upholding its version of events and the paper, is yet again being sued, this time paper’s Oilgate reports are generally refor revelations published in 2009 alleg- garded as credible. ing that a services managing company, The M&G also found itself in the Bosasa, the recipient of a number of Constitutional Court when State Presi- multi-million rand government con- dent Jacob Zuma and other senior mem- tracts, was engaged in corrupt prac- bers of the Presidency challenged the tices connected to the department of rulings of the North Gauteng High Court correctional services. But this time the and the Supreme Court, which had or- legal approach is new. The court is be- dered them to release a report commis- ing called upon to balance the right of sioned by former President Thabo Mbeki discovery of the complainant (Bosasa) – from two judges in 2002. The judges had which enables parties in a civil case to been sent to Zimbabwe to examine the gather pertinent information from each political and legal situation shortly be- other in the pre-trial phase – with the fore Zimbabwe’s national elections. media’s right to protect sources. It is the The case is significant because it first case of this kind under South Af- arises from an official request for infor- rica’s 1996 Constitution1. mation held by the state brought by the In June 2011 the Supreme Court of M&G in terms of South Africa’s Promo- Appeal (SCA) found in favour of the M&G tion of Access to Information Act of 2000 by dismissing an appeal against an order (PAIA). The majority of the judges found of the North Gauteng High Court, which that where the State cannot provide had set aside a report produced by the sufficient justification for withholding Public Protector. The report, which had information requested, the High Court been nullified by the High Court, essen- should invoke its power, in terms of the tially contradicted the main findings of a Act, to examine the report in order verify story published by the M&G in a series of the state’s arguments against disclosure. articles dubbed “Oilgate”. The Supreme In a strong dissenting judgement, one Court found that the substance of the of the judges, Justice J. Cameron, found matters that were referred to the Public that the Presidency had failed to justify Protector for investigation by two mem- its refusal to release the report and that bers of Parliament was not investigated the report should be released without at all. It held that the Public Protector’s further consideration by any court. investigation was so scant as to amount Other cases in 2011 were more ordinary, but no less important as a dem- 1 http://constitutionallyspeaking. onstration of the continuous litigation co.za/2011/11/25/ around media in South Africa. In June,

So This is Democracy • 2011 113 South Africa

the Supreme Court upheld an appeal and practises of apartheid into the insti- by Media 24 (in respect of its City Press tutions, values and practises envisaged in newspaper) against a judgment of the South Africa’s new non-racial and non- South Gauteng High Court. The High sexual (1996) constitution. The role of Court had earlier dismissed a special plea the constitutional court is to defend this by Media 24 against a defamation action constitution against all actions and poli- instituted by a company called SA Taxi cies, which are at variance with it – in- Securitisation who was claiming general cluding government policies and actions. damages of ZAR250,000 (US$32,500) and Leaders and officials of the ruling ZAR20million (US$2.6-million) as special ANC party2 have nevertheless made damages in the form of lost profit. it abundantly clear over the past year It has long been part of South African that they object to findings of the con- culture to sue the media and a rich and stitutional court (and other courts) that healthy body of jurisprudence exists on thwart the plans of elected organs of this subject. In the main, the judgements government, including the Executive have defended press freedom, but have and Parliament. They have accused the also protected the rights to dignity and constitutional and other courts of tak- privacy. An important case that will be ing over the role of Parliament. Some heard in the coming year is State Presi- have gone as far to say that the consti- dent Jacob Zuma’s defamation lawsuit tution itself presents a barrier to trans- against renowned cartoonist Zapiro over formation. The Minister of Justice, other his 2008 ‘Rape of Lady Justice’ cartoon, notable officials and government spin which has been set for trial in the South doctors have been at pains to explain the Gauteng High Court on 28 August 2012. President’s remarks that the constitution But the very basis of this healthy needed to be “changed” – trying to say legal system may now be under threat. that he did not mean what he said. 2011 was also characterised by serious Not only are the constitution and government attacks on both the judici- the judiciary under government scru- ary and the constitutional court. These tiny, the freedom and independence of have now culminated in the government the media are under significant pressure launching a review of the constitutional from government as well. The ANC has court’s judgements to assess their im- been calling for a (statutory) Media Ap- pact on the country in relation to the peals Tribunal (MAT) since its Polokwane government’s agenda of socio-economic conference in 2007, which would be ap- “transformation”. pointed by Parliament and which would have the legal power, on appeal, to re- Transformation? view decisions of the (non-statutory ) Press Ombudsman. It is no longer clear what transformation really means. Once it meant transformation of the institutions, values 2 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/2011/11/25/

114 So This is Democracy • 2011 The ANC again expressed serious However, the press ombud and press criticism of the Press Ombudsman sys- appeal panel system is in fact a form of tem in a discussion paper prepared for its arbitration and legal advice taken by the 2010 general council meeting in Durban Press Council is that this system falls and called on Parliament to investigate under the legislation governing arbitra- all forms of press regulation so that it tion in South Africa. In terms of this law, could decide the best system. The ANC’s a complainant can take the ombuds- resolution3 on the matter among others man’s and the appeal panel’s decisions noted that: “The mere fact that the press for review to the High Court. As in all ombudsman is from the media ranks, a review cases, the High Court will simply former journalist, and is not an inde- determine whether the Press Council’s pendent person who looks at the media ombudsman and/or appeal panel has from the layman’s perspective poses an followed all procedures and drawn fair inherent bias towards the media with all conclusions. If not, the court would sim- interpretations favourable to the institu- ply order the ombudsman and appeal tion and the other party just have (sic) panel to review the case afresh – the to understand and accept the media way court would not take over the role of de- which is grossly unfair and unjust”. ciding the substantive case. Another paragraph says: “Many who The ANC argues that it is not looking find themselves ‘in the news’ are unhap- for a system that would undermine press py about the way their story has been freedom and that it fought for press free- presented or the way journalists have dom itself during the liberation struggle. obtained information. Many laws restrict It is insisting that the press ombudsman what can be published but not the be- system is not an independent system, haviour of journalists, and there are few because an interested party - the print legal remedies for inaccurate reporting”4. media itself, controls it. It also argues The Press Ombudsman is appointed that the press ombud system is ‘tooth- by the South African Press Council, an less’. The ANC argues that Parliament can independent industry body consisting of devise an independent system similar to various print media associations, and in the office of the (statutory) Public Pro- this system the ombudsman’s decisions tector and the (statutory) Independent can themselves be appealed to a higher Electoral Commission. structure of the Press Council, the Press Appeals Panel. Complainants have to Self-examination give up their right to legal action in the courts, such as defamation, when they In response, the Press Council and place their complaints in the hands of other print media bodies took various the press ombudsman. important initiatives during 2011. The Press Council appointed a task team to 3 Review, Press Council of South Africa, August review press regulation and to make rec- 2011, p.12 ommendations to the Press Council. Its 4 Ibid

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brief included review of the Press Coun- of self-regulation because this was the cil’s press code, constitution, complaints system used in countries with strong procedure and overall functioning, best traditions of press freedom and optimum practises around the world and to in- cooperation among media. Statutory vite public participation and suggestions regulation is primarily used in countries from other stakeholders. with a relative lack of freedom of expres- It used three criteria for evaluation sion and/or a lack of consensus among of proposals: would the proposal lead the media themselves on ethical codes to an improvement in the quality of and ways of enforcing them. Other rec- journalism in South Africa, would the ommendations include the appointment proposal make the press council and of a Public Advocate, who will assist its systems more efficient and effec- members of the public to formulate their tive, and was the proposal practical. Ac- complaints, to negotiate with the media cording to a report of the Press Council5, to try and achieve early resolution of the the task team “received 58 written and problem and who may also assist com- oral submissions, including substantial plainants during hearings. submissions from academics and from The Public Advocate would also in organisations with large constituencies”. exceptional cases have the ability to lay Print, radio, television and online adver- a complaint against the media, but only tisements were used to invite written where the issue is of exceptional mag- submissions from the public and public nitude and where no clearly identifiable hearings were held in five cities across person or group is affected or if the po- the country. It also conducted research tential complainants have no objection. of press councils in other countries and For obvious reasons the Press Council made use of extensive international re- does not in general want to play the role search conducted earlier by the Press of both prosecutor and judge. Council of New Zealand. In addition the task team has recom- In the course of this we learnt that mended the appointment of a Director there are more forms of media regula- of the Press Council who would concen- tion than many of us were previously trate on public engagement around is- aware of: statutory regulation, self- sues of journalism standards and media regulation, co-regulation (a combina- freedom and also that the Ombudsman tion of government and media industry should adjudicate complaints against regulation) and independent regulation the online publications of Print Media (independent from both the media and South Africa (the publishers body of government) – examples of all of these South Africa)6. exist in various countries. The Task Team has recommended 6 Broadcast media in South Africa fall under the jurisdiction of the Broadcasting that the Press Council retain its system Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), or, if they are not members of this body or refuse 5 Review, Press Council of South Africa, August to submit to its jurisdiction, under the Independent 2011, p.5 Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

116 So This is Democracy • 2011 Significant improvements have also conforms to the SA Constitution. The been recommended to the press code it- Press Council has handed its report to self (which is the yardstick against which the Press Freedom Commission. all complaints are weighed). Another In addition, the commission had re- recommendation is that complainants ceived its own written submissions and will no longer be required to ‘waive’ their held its own public hearings (which it rights when they agree to the jurisdic- called its Listening to SA Campaign). tion of the Press Council, instead they South Africa’s former chief Justice, Pius will sign a Complainant’s Declaration, in Langa, chairs the commission. An illustri- which they will acknowledge that they ous list of persons have testified before it have been advised of their right to go including the African Union Special Rap- to court or other tribunal, but that they porteur on Freedom of Expression and choose instead the system of arbitration Access to Information, Advocate. Pansy as provided by the Press Council. Tlakula, the Public Protector (Advocate It was also suggested that the Press Thusi Madonsela) and Jessie Duarte, the Ombud in future issue guidance notes Chairwoman of the ANC’s communica- to editors, to draw attention to trends tions committee assisted by Jackson in complaints, for example in relation to Mthembu, a member of the same com- reporting on children. It was also recom- mittee and party spokesman, and the mended that legal representation should ANC’s secretary-general Gwede Man- not be allowed during hearings to keep tashe. proceedings informal and inexpensive. The commission will make its final Complainants and respondents, however, report towards the end of March 2012. would be able to take legal advice ahead Sceptics believe that despite the strenu- of hearings and lawyers may assist them ous efforts of both the Press Council and in drawing up their papers. the Press Freedom Commission, that the An IT system is also to be installed so ANC is resolute in its determination to that the Press Council can statistically create a statutory Media Appeals Tribu- track cases, including the turnaround nal. Time will tell … time in dealing with cases. These are in fact quite fast. There was a 70% increase That Bill... in the number of cases over the past three years - from 150 in 2009 to 213 in Another epic battle has also been 2010, and to 255 in 2011. raging over the past two years with de- Beyond the task team appointed by termined efforts by the ANC to pass the the Press Council, the SA National Edi- so-called Secrecy Bill (the Protection of tors Forum and Print Media South Africa State Information Bill) and determined also decided to appoint a 9-person Press efforts by civil society and others to op- Freedom Commission in mid-2011 to pose it. The civil society effort consists examine the best possible print regula- mostly of the Right2Know (R2K) cam- tory system for South Africa and which paign and the SA National Editors Forum

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(SANEF). Some opposition political par- into the venues, and most of them appar- ties are also opposing it in Parliament, ently had no knowledge of the content of including the Democratic Alliance. The the Bill or what the hearings were about. National Assembly passed the Secrecy Their role allegedly was to heckle persons Bill on November 2011 last year. The day who criticised the Bill and to shout down of its passage was dubbed “Black Tues- representatives of opposition political day” by the SA Press Club, invoking ech- parties. In some areas R2K groups oppos- oes of “Black Wednesday” on 19 October ing aspects of the Bill tried to have their 1977 when the Apartheid government voices heard on neighbourhood commu- silenced black newspapers and other nity radio stations, but were refused, even anti-apartheid organisations. though the government had just been As is normal procedure, it was then granted airtime to present its case in sup- referred for debate to the second cham- port of the Bill. These groups were told ber of Parliament, the National Council that the government had bought airtime of Provinces (NCOP). The NCOP, like the on these stations, and those who had not National Assembly, conducted public bought airtime could not speak. hearings into the Bill, but it is not known If the NCOP should vote to pass the when exactly it will vote on the Bill. Bill, the State President could still refuse The public hearings were slammed at to sign the Bill on the grounds that it is the Johannesburg Summit of the Right2 not likely to withstand a challenge in the Know campaign early 2012 where tes- constitutional court. If, however, the timonies were heard from persons who President signs the Bill, various parties attended the hearings in various parts of have already indicated, including R2K the country. They alleged that chairper- and SANEF, that they would bring a case sons granted an inordinate amount of to oppose it in the constitutional court. time to representatives of the Minister of This saga is still far from being over. Security to describe the Bill in a very misleading light, highlighting only its posi- Inside the ANC tive content and completely obscuring the many elements of serious concern Intra-party tensions within the ANC contained in the Bill. have also affected the operations of the By contrast, they claimed, those who media. Most notable, the tensions be- spoke critically about the Bill and who in- tween the ANC and its Youth Leaugue dicated their opposition, were often rude- have posed various threats to the media. ly cut short and told that they did not un- Journalists were roundly attacked dur- derstand the Bill. Hearings were also cut ing the course of 2011 at a number of short, and in at least one instance when Youth League marches, which at times the venue of the hearing was moved to resulted in skirmishes with the police. another place without any announce- Members of the ANC’s youth leaugue ments being made to this effect. also tried to intimidate media houses ANC supporters were allegedly bussed that examined their president, Julius

118 So This is Democracy • 2011 Malema’s affluent lifestyle and private paign has been underway for four years business dealings and assaulted journal- now and conducting sterling work in ists covering his appearance at one of his holding the South African Broadcasting disciplinary hearings. On one occasion Corporation (SABC) to public account. Malema swore at and infamously threw It also places pressure on state bodies a foreign correspondent out of a Youth which are legally charged to perform League press conference – in full view of the latter duty, to do so much more ef- the world’s media and their international fectively - notably Parliament and the audiences. Independent Communications Author- The Government Communication ity of South Africa (ICASA). SOS has also and Information Service (GCIS) an- consistently been calling for a major nounced mid-year that henceforth gov- policy review of all broadcasting policy ernment’s R1-billion advertising budget and regulation in South Africa and op- would be centralised in this department poses piecemeal amendment of various and advertising would only be placed in bits and pieces of legislation. Broadcast- newspapers that “assist the government ing policy was last reviewed in South in getting its message across” and “tell Africa almost 15 years ago. There have the truth about service delivery”. been four ministers of communication In October, South African officials appointed in South Africa over the past acknowledged that the phones of jour- four years, and this lack of stability at nalists Mzilikazi Wa Afrika and Stephan ministerial level is also undermining at- Hofstatter had been tapped by the tempts to establish policy development police. The two have faced persistent and stability at government department threats since 2010 when they published level as well as at institutions like the a story on police corruption. SABC and ICASA. Persistent problems President Zuma came in for criti- such as board instability and ongoing cism when he failed to raise with Libyan wasteful and fruitless expenditure at authorities the case of South African the SABC, and ICASA failing to monitor photographer Anton Hammerl who had the SABC’s (lack of) compliance with its disappeared during the civil war in Libya. licensing conditions in respect of local Libyan authorities claimed for weeks content quotas, appear to be continuing that he was alive and was being held in undeterred. custody. But media colleagues released It should be obvious from all the by Libyan authorities later said Hammerl above that South Africa is facing numer- had been killed by government forces on ous media challenges on many fronts, the day they had been detained. most notably to continue and improve its track record in Africa as a country State of Broadcasting that respects the freedom and the independence of the media. On the broadcasting front the SOS: Promoting Public Broadcasting cam-

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investigaçoes por dois membros do par- PORTUGUESE lamento não foi absolutamente investi- gado. Assegurou-se que a investigação VERSION do Protector Público foi tão insuficiente dando-se absolutamente à não investi- Na altura em que se escreve7, o jornal gação (o relatório foi elaborado pelo ex- Mail & Guardian (M&G), o prolífico jornal Protector Público e não o actual, Thuli investigativo semanal da Africa Sul está Madonsela). Por isso, o M&G saiu victo- sendo processado novamente, desta vez rioso em defender a sua versão de even- por revelaçoes publicadas em 2009 ale- tos e os relatórios dos artigos Oilgate são gando que uma companhia de gestão de geralmente considerados como crediveis. serviços, Bosasa, o captor de um número O M&G também se achou no Tribu- de multi-milhoes de rands dos contratos nal Constitucional quando o Presidente do governo, estava envolvido em prac- do Estado Jacob Zuma e outros membros ticas corruptas ligadas ao departamento sêniores da Presidência desafiaram as de serviços correccionais. Mas desta vez decisões da Corte Suprema e o Tribunal a procedência legal é nova. O tribunal Supremo de North Gauteng que tin- está sendo chamado para balancear o di- ham ordenado que eles libertassem um reito da descoberta do queixoso (Bosasa) relatório comissionado pelo ex- Presi- – que permite aos partidos no caso civil dente Thabo Mbeki de dois juízes em juntar informaçoes pertinentes uns dos 2002. Os juízes tinham sido enviados outros na fase de primeira tentativa – para Zimbábue para examinar a situação com os direitos da midia de proteger as política e legal logo antes as eleições na- fontes. É o primeiro caso do género sobre cionais de Zimbábue. a Constituição Sul Africana de 19968. O caso é significante porque surge de Em Junho de 2011 o Supremo Corte um pedido oficial de informação segurada de Apelação (SCA) constatado em fa- pelo estado trazido pelo M&G em termos vor do M&G por rejeitar uma apelação da Acta de Promoção de Acesso a Infor- contra a ordem da Corte Suprema de mação da África do Sul de 2000 (PAIA). North Gauteng, o qual pós de parte um A maioria dos juízes achou que onde o relatório produzido pelo protector pub- Estado não pode prover justificação su- lico. O relatório que tinha sido anulado ficiente por reter informação solicitada, Pela Corte Suprema, contrariou essen- o Tribunal Supremo deveria invocar seu cialmente as descobertas fundamentais poder, nos termos da Acta, examinar o publicadas pelo M&G numa série de arti- relatório afim de verificam os argumentos gos titulados “Oilgate”. A Corte Suprema do estado contra a revelação. Em um jul- notou que a substância da material que gamento divergente forte, um dos juízes, foi referida ao Protector Publico para Justice J. Cameron, achou que a Presidên- cia falhou em justificar sua recusa para 7 7 March 2012 libertar o relatório e que o relatório deve- 8 http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/2011/11/25/ ria ser liberto sem consideração adicional

120 So This is Democracy • 2011 por qualquer tribunal. seu impacto no pais com relação a agen- Outros casos em 2011 foram mais da do governo sobre a “transformação” ordinários, mas não menos importantes socio-económica. como demostração do continuo litigio a volta da midia na Africa do Sul. Em Jun- Já não está mais claro o que real- ho, o Tribunal Supremo defendeu uma mente significa transformação. Uma vez apelaçã pelo Media 24 ( a respeito do seu isso significou transformação das insti- jornal City Press) contra o julgamento tuiçoes, valores e práticas do apartheid da Corte Suprema de South Gauteng. O em instituiçoes, valores e práticas en- Tribunal Supremo já tivera rejeitado um frentadas na nova costituição não-racial pretexto pela Media 24 contra uma acção e não-sexual (1996) da Africa Sul. O pa- difamatória instituida por uma compan- pel do Tribunal Constitucional é defender hia chamada SA Taxi Securitisation que essa constituição contra todas as acçoes clamava por danos gerais de ZAR250,000 e politicas que estão em contradição (US$32,500) e ZAR20milhoes (US$2.6- com ela – incluindo politicas e acçoes do milhoes) como danos especiais na forma governo. de lucros perdidos. Os líderes e funcionários do partido Já faz por muito tempo, parte da no poder9 ANC fizeram isto abundan- cultura Sul africana processar as mídia e temente claro não obstante durante o um corpo rico e saudável de jurisprudên- último ano que eles contestaram os re- cia existe neste assunto. No principal, sultados do tribunal constitucional (e os julgamentos defenderam a liberdade outros tribunais) isso contraria os planos de imprensa, mas também protegeu os de órgãos eleitos do governo, inclusive o direitos a dignidade e privacidade. Um Executivo e o Parlamento. Eles,acusaram caso importante que será ouvido no ano os tribunais constitucionais e outros de próximo é o processo de difamação do assumirem o papel de Parlamento. Al- Presidente do Estado Jacob Zuma con- guns foram longe com o dizer de que tra um famoso caricaturista Zapiro sobre a própria constituição apresenta uma a sua caricatura de 2008 ‘Rape of Lady barreira a transformação. O Ministro de Justice’ (Estupro da Senhora Justiça), que Justiça, outros funcionários notáveis e foi fixo para tentativa na Corte Suprema doutores de giro do governo estiveram de South Gauteng no dia 28 de Agosto em dores para explicar as observações do de 2012. Presidente que a constituição precisava Mas a base deste sistema legal sau- ser mudada - tentando dizer que ele não dável deve estar agora sobre ameaça. quis dizer o que ele disse. 2011 tamém foi caracterizado por sé- Não é só a constituição e o ministé- rios ataques governamentais em ambos rio da justiça que estão sobre escrutínio o Tribunal Judiciário e o Constitucional. do governo, a liberdade e independência Estes culminaram com o lançamento pelo governo da revisão dos julgamentos 9 http://constitutionallyspeaking. constitucionais do Tribunal para avaliar o co.za/2011/11/25/

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das mídia estão também sobre pressão A imprensa Ombudsman é designada significante do governo. O ANC tem pelo South African Press Council, um pedido por um (estatutário) “Tribunal corpo de indústria independente que de Apelações da Mídia” ‘Media Appeals consiste em várias associações da mídia Tribunal (MAT)’ como a sua conferência de impressão, e neste sistema as decisões de Polokwane em 2007 que seriam des- do ombudsman podem por si mesmas ignados através do Parlamento e que serem apeladas a uma estrutura mais teria o poder legal, em apelação, revisar alta do Conselho de Imprensa, o Press decisões da (nao-estatutário) imprensa Appeal Painel. Os queixosos têm que Ombudsman. desistir do seu direito a acção legal nos tribunais, tais como difamação, quando O ANC expressou novamente críticas eles colocarem as suas reclamações nas sérias do sistema de imprensa Ombuds- mãos da imprensa ombudsman. man num papel de discussão preparado para o encontro do conselho geral de Porém, a imprens ombudsman e o 2010 em Durban e chamou o Parla- sistema do Press Appeal Painelcé na re- mento para investigar todas as formas alidade uma forma de arbitragem e um de regulamento de imprensa de forma conselho legal tomado pelo Conselho de que este possa decidir o melhor sistema. Imprensa é que este sistema cai debaixo A resolução do assunto para o ANC en- da legislação governando a arbitragem tre outros notou que: “O mero facto de na África do Sul. Em termos desta lei, um que a imprensa ombudsman é dos graus queixoso pode levar as decisões do om- da mídia, um ex-jornalista, e não é uma budsman e do Press Appeal Painel para pessoa independente que olha para as revisão ao Tribunal Supremo. Como em mídia da perspectiva do leigo posa um todos casos de revisão, o Tribunal Supre- preconceito inerente para as mídia com mo apenas determinará se o Conselho todo o favoretismo de interpretações de Imprensa Ombudsman seguiu todos para a instituição e o outro partido (sic) os procedimentos e tirou conclusões só tinha que entender e aceitar o modo justas. Se não, o tribunal ordenaria sim- de mídia que é grotescamente incorrecto plesmente o ombudsman e o Press Ap- e injusto.” peal Painel para revisar o caso mais uma vez - o tribunal não assumiria o papel de Outro parágrafo diz: “Muitos dos que decidir o caso substantivo. se acham ‘nas notícias estão infelizes so- O ANC argumenta que não está bre o modo como a sua história tem sido procurando por um sistema que en- apresentada ou o modo como os jornal- fraquecesse a liberdade de imprensa e istas obtiveram a informação. Muitas leis que lutou pela liberdade de imprensa restringem o que pode ser publicado mas sozinho durante a luta de libertação. não o comportamento dos jornalistas, Insiste que o sistema da imprensa Om- e há poucos remédios para reportagens budsman não é um sistema independ- incorrectas.” ente, porque um partido interessado – a

122 So This is Democracy • 2011 imprensa de impressão por si o controla. e fez uso de pesquisas internacionais ex- Também argumenta que o sistema da tensas feitas mais cedo pelo Conselho de imprensa Ombud é ‘sem dentes’. O ANC Imprensa de Nova Zelândia. argumenta que o parlamento pode de- No curso disto nós aprendemos que linear um sistema independente similar há mais formas de regulamento de mí- do escritorio do (estatutorio) protector dia do que muitos de nós tinhamos pre- publico e (estatutorio) da Comissão Elei- viamente conhecimento: regulamento toral Independente. estatutário, auto-regulação, co-regulamento (uma combinação do regula- Em resposta, o Conselho de Imprensa mento do governo da indústria de mídia) e outros corpos da mídia de impressão e regulamento independente (independ- tomaram várias iniciativas importantes ente das mídia e governo) - exemplos durante o ano de 2011. O Conselho de destes todos existem em vários países. Imprensa designou uma equipe de tarefas para revisar o regulamento de imp- A equipe de Tarefas recomendou que rensa e fazer recomendações ao Con- o Conselho de Imprensa retenha seu sis- selho de Imprensa. Seu sumário incluiu tema de auto-regulação porque este era a revisão do código de imprensa do Con- o sistema usado em países com tradições selho de Imprensa, constituição, procedi- fortes de liberdade de imprensa e coop- mento de reclamações e funcionamento eração óptima entre a mídia. Regula- geral, boas practicas ao redor do mundo mento estatutário é principalmente us- e convidar a participação pública e sug- ado em países com uma relativa falta de estões de outros parceiros. liberdade de expressão e/ou uma falta de Usou três critérios para avaliação das consensos entre as mídia entre si nos có- propostas: poderá a proposta conduzir a digos éticos e modos de obriga-los. Out- uma melhoria na qualidade de jornalismo ras recomendações incluem a nomeaáão na África do Sul, poderá a proposta fazer de um Defensor Público que ajudará os com que o coselho de imprensa e seus membros do público a formular as suas sistemas sejam mais eficientes e fectivos, reclamações, negociar com as mídia para e foi a proposta prática. “De acordo com tentar alcançar resoluçoes muito cedo do um relatório do Conselho de Imprensa, a problema e quem também pode ajudar equipe de tarefas”recebeu 58 submissões os queixosos durante as auscultações. escritas e orais, incluindo submissões significativas de acadêmicos e de organi- O Defensor Público também vai em zaçoes com distritos eleitorais grandes”. casos excepcionais ter a habilidade para foram usadas Impressão, rádio, televisão pôr uma reclamação contra as mídia, e anúncios on-line para convidar sub- mas só onde o assunto é de magnitude missões escritas do povo e auscultações excepcional e onde nenhuma pessoa públicas e aconteceu em cinco cidades claramente identificável ou grupo é pelo país. Também realizou pesquisas de afectado ou se os potenciais queixosos conselhos de imprensa em outros países não têm nenhuma objeção. Por razões

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óbvias, o Conselho de Imprensa em geral de crianças. Também foi recomendado não quer fazer o papel de ambos promo- que representação legal não devesse ser tor e juiz. permitida durante as auscultações para Além disso a equipe de tarefas reco- manter os procedimentos informais e mendou a nomeação de um Diretor do baratos. Porém, os queixosos e respond- Conselho de Imprensa que concentraria entes poderiam seguir conselho legal à no compromisso do público ao redor frente das auscultações e os advogados em assuntos de padrões de jornalismo podem ajuda-los a preparar os seus doc- e liberdade de mídia e também que o umentos. Ombudsman deveria decidir reclamações contra as publicações on-line de Print Um sistema de IT também será insta- Midia South Africa (o corpo de publica- lado de formas que o Conselho de Im- dores da África do Sul)10. prensa possa estatisticamente localizar casos, inclusive o tempo de reviravolta Também foram recomendadas mel- quando lidando com casos. Estes são na horias significantes ao próprio código realidade, bastante rapidos. Houve um de imprensa (que é a jarda contra a qual aumento de 70% no número de casos todas as reclamações são pesadas). Outra durante os últimos três anos - de 150 em recomendação é que os queixosos já não 2009 a 213 em 2010, e para 255 em 2011. serão requeridos a ‘renunciar’ os seus di- Além da equipe de tarefas desig- reitos quando eles aceitarem a jurisdição nada pelo Conselho de Imprensa, o SA do Conselho de Imprensa, ao invés eles National Editors Forum e o Print Media assinarão a Declaração de um queixoso South Africa também decidiu designar na qual eles reconhecerão que lhes ac- uma Comissão de Liberdade de Imprensa onselharam do seu direito de ir a corte de 9-pessoas nos meiados de 2011 para ou outro tribunal, mas que ao invés disso examinar o melhor e possível sistema eles escolhem o sistema de arbitragem regulador dos órgãos de impressão para tal como providenciado pelo Conselho a África do Sul e que esteja em confor- de Imprensa. midade com a Constitução da SA. O Conselho de Imprensa deu seu relatório Também foi sugerido que a imprensa à Comissão de Liberdade de Imprensa. Ombud no futuro elabore notas de orien- tação para os editores, chamar atenção Além disso, a comissão recebeu as a tendências em reclamações, por ex- suas próprias submissões escritas e asse- emplo em relação a fazer a reportagem gurou suas próprias auscultações públi- cas (o qual chamou seu Escutando a SA 10 Broadcast media in South Africa fall under Campain). O anterior chefe de justiça the jurisdiction of the Broadcasting Complaints da África do Sul, Pius Langa, preside a Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), or, if comissão. Uma lista de peaaoas ilustres they are not members of this body or refuse to testemunhou antes isto inclusive o Re- submit to its jurisdiction, under the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). porter Rspecial da União africana sobre

124 So This is Democracy • 2011 Liberdade de Expressão e Acesso a Infor- reu então para debate à segunda câmara mação, Pansi Tlakula, o Protetor Público do Parlamento, o Conselho Nacional de (Defensor Thusi Madonsela) e Jessie Províncias (NCOP). O NCOP, como a As- Duarte, a presidente do comitê de co- sembléia Nacional, realizou auscultações municações do ANC assistido por Jack- públicas do Projecto Lei, mas não é con- son Mthembu, um membro do mesmo hecido quando exactamente votará no comitê e porta-voz do partido, e Gwede Projecto. Mantashe secretário-geral do ANC. A comissão fará seu relatório final As auscultações públicas foram sev- nos fins de Março de 2012. Cépticos eramente criticadas na Simeira de Jo- acreditam que apesar dos esforços es- hannesburg da campanha do Right2 trênuos do Conselho de Imprensa e a Co- “Direito de saber” cedo em 2012 onde missão de Liberdade de Imprensa, que o foram ouvidos testemunhos de pes- ANC é resoluto em sua determinação de soas que assistiram as auscultaições em criar um Tribunal de Apelações da Mídia várias partes do país. Eles alegaram que estatutário. O tempo dirá… os presidentes concederam um tempo irregular aos representantes do Minis- Outra batalha épica também tem se tro de Segurança para descrever o Pro- enfurecido durante os últimos dois anos jecto Leil em uma luz muito enganosa, com determinados esforços pelo ANC de realçando só o seu conteúdo positivo e passar o chamado projecto Lei de Sigilo obscurecendo completamente muitos el- (a projecto lei da Proteção da Informação ementos de preocupação séria contidos Estatal) e determinou os esforços civis no Projecto. para opor isto. O esforço da sociedade civil consiste principalmente na campanha do Em contraste, eles reivindicaram, “Direito de saber” Right2Know (R2K) e o aqueles que falaram criticamente sobre SA National Editors Forum (SANEF). Al- o Projecto e que indicaram sua oposição, guns partidos da oposição também estão eram freqüentemente cortados brutal- opondo isto no Parlamento, inclusive a mente e de imediato, dizendo-lhes que Aliança Democrática. A Assembléia Na- não entenderam o Projecto. As auscul- cional passou o Projecto Lei de Sigilo aos tações também foram cortadas de ime- 22 de Novembro do ano passado. O dia diato, e pelo menos um exemplo quando de sua passagem foi denominado “terça- a jurisdição da auscultação foi movida feira Preta” (Black – Tuesday) pelo Clube para outro lugar sem qualquer anúncio de Imprensa da SA, enquanto invocando sendo feito quanto a isto. ecos de quarta-feira Preta” aos 19 de Outubro de 1977 quando o governo de Os partidários da ANC eram supos- Apartheid silenciou jornais negros e out- tamente em massa nas jurisdições, e a ras organizaçoes anti-apartheid. maioria deles nao tinha nenhum con- Como é procedimento normal, recor- hecimento do conteúdo do Projecto ou sobre o que as auscultações eram

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aparentemente. O papel deles era su- aparecimento dele a uma das auscul- postamente desfibrar as pessoas que tações disciplinares. Em uma ocasião criticaram o Projecto e gritar abaixo os Malema jurou infamemente e tirou fora representantes dos partidos politicos um correspondente estrangeiro de uma da oposição. Em algumas áreas a R2K entrevista colectiva da Liga Juvenil - a agrupa aspectos opostos do Projecto vista de toda a mídia do mundo e suas tentando serem ouvidos nas estaçoes de audiências internacionais. radio comunitarias da vizinhança, mas Os Servicos de Comunicação e In- foi recusado, embora o governo tivesse formações do Governo (GCIS) anunciou sido concedido há pouco, tempo de no meio do ano que daqui em diante o antena para apresentar o seu caso em R1-bilhão orçamento de propaganda do defesa do Projecto. Informaram a estes governo seria centralizado neste depar- grupos que o governo comprou tempo tamento e anunciando só em jornais que de natena nestas estações, e aqueles que “ajudam o governo comunicar sua men- não tinham comprado tempo de antena sagem e que “contam a verdade” e sobre não puderam falar. “prestacao serviço”. Se o NCOP deveria votar para passar o Procto, o Presidente do Estado ainda Em outubro, os oficiais Sul africanos poderia recusar assinar o mesmo alegan- reconheceram que os telefones dos jor- do que não é provável que resista um de- nalistas Mzilikazi Wa Afrika e Stephan safio no tribunal constitucional. Porém, Hofstatter tinham sido postos sob esse o Presidente o assinar, vários partidos cuta pela polícia. Os dois enfrentaram já indicaram, inclusive R2K e SANEF, que ameaças persistentes desde 2010 quan- eles trariam um caso para opor isto no do eles publicaram uma história de cor- tribunal constitucional. Esta saga ainda rupção policial. está longe de terminar. Presidente Zuma veio com criticismo Tensões Intra-partidarios dentro do quando ele e as Autoridades da Libia fal- ANC também afectaram as operações haram em levantar o caso do fotógrafo das mídia. As mais notaveis, foram as Sul africano Anton Hammerl que tinha tensões entre o ANC e sua Liga Juvenil desaparecido durante a guerra civil na que colocaram várias ameaças às mídia. Líbia. As autoridades libaneses reivindi- Os jornalistas foram atacados redon- caram durante semanas que ele estava damente durante o curso de 2011 nas vivo e que estava sendo mantido em várias marchas da Liga Juvenil que às custódia. Mas os colegas da mídia liber- vezes resultaram em escaramuças com a tados depois pelas autoridades da Libia polícia. Membros da Liga Juvenil do ANC disseram que Hammerl tinha sido morto também tentaram intimidar casas de mí- pelas forças do governo no dia que eles dia que examinaram o seu presidente, o tinham sido detidos. estilo de vida aflueante de Julius Malema Na frente da radiodifusão a SOS: e procedimentos empresariais privados Promoção de campanha Pública de e assaltaram jornalistas que cobriram o Radiodifusão está em andamento há

126 So This is Democracy • 2011 quatro anos agora e fazendo um tra- Alert balho esterlino retendo a South Afri- Date: June 13, 2011 can Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) a Person/ institution: South African conta pública. Também coloca pressão National Editors’ Forum em corpos estatais que são legalmente Violation/ issue: Other responsabilizados para executar o dever The South African National Editors’ Fo- posterior fazer tanto mais efetivamente rum has condemned a Cabinet plan - notavelmente o Parlamento e a Autori- announced by government spokesman dade de Comunicações Independentes Jimmy Manyi at a briefing on 9 June da África do Sul (ICASA). SOS também 2011 that government allocation of its tem pedido constantemente uma revisão R1-billion a year advertising budget will política maior de todas as políticas de only favor newspapers which “assist gov- radiodifusão e regulamento na África do ernment in getting its message across” Sul e opoe emendas por partes de vários and which “told the truth about service pedaços da legislação. A politica de ra- delivery”. diodifusão foi pela ultima vez revisada quase 15 anos atrás na África do Sul. Alert Houve quatro ministros de comunicação Date: June 15, 2011 designados na África do Sul durante os Person/ institution: Parliamentary últimos quatro anos, e esta falta de esta- committee bilidade a nível ministerial também está Violation/ issue: Legislation arruinando tentativas para estabelecer The rush to complete the Protection of desenvolvimento de políticas e estabi- Information Bill by the parliamentary lidade a nível do departamento do gov- committee has sparked public outcry in erno como também a instituições como South Africa with many raising the feel- o SABC e ICASA. Problemas persistentes ings that the law will lead to huge prob- como instabilidade do Conselho e con- lems and unnecessary tensions in the tínua despesa esbanjadora e infrutífera future. Among those raising their critical no SABC, e ICASA fracassando no moni- view against the Bill are former intelli- toramento ( da falta de) complacência gence minister Ronnie Kasrils. do SABC com suas condiçoes de licenciamento em respeito as quotas do con- Communiqué teudo local, parece que continua sendo Date: June 13, 2011 destemido. Person/ institution: South African Deveria ser óbvio apartir do referido Broadcasting Corporation acima que a África do Sul está enfrentan- Violation/ issue: Other do numerosos desafios de imprensa em President Jacob Zuma has appointed muitas frentes, notavelmente continuar four non-executive members to the e melhorar seu registro de rasto na África board of the South African Broadcasting como um país que respeita a liberdade e Corporation (SABC). The four replace the a independência das mídia. members of the board who had resigned

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last year, namely, Felleng Sekha, Barbara Masekela, David Niddrie and Makgatho Mello.

Communiqué Date: August 3, 2011 Person/ institution: SABC Violation/ issue: Other The South African Broadcasting Corpo- ration (SABC) celebrated its 75 years of existence on the 1st August 2011, 58 years of state broadcaster and 17 years of public broadcaster, says board member Lumko Mtimbe on the SABC Face- book page. Biz Community reported that, the celebrations come at a point when the former acting CEO Nicholson has issued a summons against the public broadcaster claiming R2.8 million, plus interest and the cost of his lawsuit. The claim includes R1.5 million in terms of the six-month fixed-term contract of- fered to him and a restraint payment of R1.3 million, The Mail & Guardian reported on Friday, 29 July 2011. “Despite various problems, there are a number of things to celebrate The SABC has certainly made some progress from a state to a public broadcaster” said Skinner.

128 So This is Democracy • 2011 National Dr. Maxwell Mthembu University of Swaziland, Overview Department of Journalism Swaziland and Mass Communication 2011 Kwaluseni Campus

So This is Democracy • 2011 129 Introduction tising, announcements and sponsored programmes is ploughed into Govern- The year under review has been ment coffers. fraught with many challenges for the A merger therefore would make mass media in Swaziland. Court orders them enjoy relative financial independ- were issued to try and censor the media, ence and enable them to give compre- journalists were harassed and a newspa- hensive news coverage and services. per was threatened with closure. Censor- However that does not mean they would ship of the media reared its ugly head enjoy total media freedom. Another ad- when the Chief Justice Michael Ramod- vantage of the proposed merger is that ibedi ordered the privately-owned Times Radio Swaziland has reporters in the re- of Swaziland to stop publishing articles gions, which enables the station to be in about him in the wake of a three-month constant contact with ordinary citizens long judicial crisis in the country, which at grassroots level, yet Swazi TV has no saw lawyers boycotting the courts. regional reporters. A merger therefore The media landscape still remains the would mean any coverage or service of- same with no new entities being regis- fered would be of benefit for both view- tered. The government has continued ers and listeners which is not the case at to fail in liberalising the airwaves. It has present for an individual who does not been several years now since the idea of have access to both Swazi TV and Radio liberalisation of the airwaves was first Swaziland. mooted. A proposed merger of the state- The country’s fiscal challenges have owned television and radio stations into resulted in a decision by the govern- a single public broadcaster are still far ment of Swaziland to stop sponsoring from being a reality. students enrolled in the Journalism and The merger between Swaziland Mass Communication programme at the Broadcasting and Information Services University of Swaziland ostensibly be- (Radio Swaziland) and Swaziland Televi- cause journalism is not one of its “priori- sion is still being mooted, there is noth- ties”. This in itself poses serious questions ing concrete as yet. Should it be given about the governments’ understand- the go ahead, it would result in better ing of the role of the media in society. service especially for Swaziland Televi- Furthermore, it reveals the breathtaking sion which is struggling financially. The double-standards of a government that station (Swaziland Television) is failing bemoans the state of the media in Swa- to generate enough revenue for sus- ziland but is reluctant to invest in the tenance, as such it is relying mainly on training of journalists and media prac- government subsidies. If these were titioners. to be stopped, the station would close Despite these challenges, the regis- down. Radio Swaziland, on the other tration of the Media Complaints Com- hand, is thriving. The only challenge is mission (MCC) after a laborious four that revenue generated through adver- years is a milestone in the quest for a

130 So This is Democracy • 2011 self-regulatory framework advocated The majority of Swazi citizens live in rural for by the media. The MCC is now tak- areas. Many of these people rely on radio ing shape and went into full operation for information, which does not offer in February 2012 albeit without a solid a multiplicity of voices. Radio, though, financial base. Perhaps Swazi journalists, does disseminate information on issues under the banner of the Swaziland Na- of health, education and social welfare tional Association of Journalists (SNAJ) of the citizens however the format of will have to take a more active interest disseminating such information is not in the MCC to ensure its sustainability or interactive, being mainly one-way and part thereof. top-down. This leaves citizens without Also, the appointment of information an opportunity to actively participate officers within government ministries is in the radio programming but also, the likely to enhance the flow of informa- development of ideal information that is tion and present new opportunities for best suited to their needs. fruitful interaction between government Citizen participation on these issues officials and journalists. such as health, education and farming is paramount and has not been quite con- Access to information sidered by the public broadcaster. Also, content on such phenomena as globali- Access to information still remains zation and climate change, among other elusive in the Swazi context. Interference key emerging debates, is given less cov- by the state and censorship of the main- erage in the mass media in Swaziland, stream media still persists. Electronic leaving the citizenry isolated from im- media still remains the exclusive domain portant global discourses. of the state. This has resulted in the mar- ginalization of many citizens who can- State of the Print Media not afford any alternative mediums for accessing information. In terms of the political economy A decision by the Minister of Natural of the print media in Swaziland there Resources and Energy, Princess Tsandzile have been no major changes. The Times (Dlamini) to ban access to information at of Swaziland newspaper still remains the Deeds Office in the wake of a scan- dominant and the Tibiyo-owned Swazi dal involving the incumbent Minister of Observer is still playing second fiddle in Housing and Urban Development, Ms. terms of circulation and readership. The Lindiwe Dlamini who sold Crown Land at failure to publish certain information of reduced prices to other ministers is cause public interest about some individuals for concern. in the echelons of power may have im- Rural communities, the poor and pacted on the credibility of these news- people with disabilities are still margin- papers. alized on issues of access to information The Times of Swaziland, which has especially on the economy and politics. always been a beacon of hope, providing

So This is Democracy • 2011 131 Swaziland

coverage on diverse issues, no longer has Radio, in particular, is under constant the same clout it did in the 1980s and surveillance on what it broadcasts. For 1990s. This could be a shift in the policy instance, a broadcaster was stopped by of the newspaper explained, in part, by the station’s management from solicit- the publisher’s (African Echo (Pty) Ltd’s ing public views on the financial crisis Paul Loffler) comments in June, 2011 that had riddled the country. where he was quoted in the South Af- In March 2011, Radio Swaziland rican press saying Swaziland does not stopped broadcasting British Broadcast- need democracy. Despite challenges, the ing Corporation’s (BBC) programmes on print media has been trying to highlight its schedule following the broadcast of corruption in the public sector. comments critical of the government on There has been a trend over the years the Focus on Africa programme. In April, to rely on South Africa’s media for stories 2011 the country’s Prime Minister Dr of public interest that are not published Barnabas Dlamini at a breakfast meet- by local newspapers for fear of retribu- ing with editors told the radio station’s tion. For instance, a decision by King longest serving editor that because it is Mswati III to call for a retraction of a government-owned it will have to play story revealing that he had appealed to to the dictates of its ‘owner’. In this case, South Africa’s president for a R2.4 billion the owner is King Mswati III. Radio is financial bailout in the wake of declining banned from covering any activity that Southern African Customs Union (SACU) involves protest action by trade unions, receipts is evidence of the seriousness students and other civic groups. Any dis- of the censorship that is in the country. senting voices are not accommodated at Although the story was true, the state- both the radio and television services. owned Swazi Observer was compelled to Children’s programming is conspicu- retract the story. ous by its absence on both radio and tel- Alternative newspapers still ex- evision. On television, local content has ist even though some are struggling to continued to be affected by the lack of publish regularly. Their content is mainly finances, making production of children’s tabloid style journalism. Some do though content undesirable. The station depends try to cover even the contentious issues. wholly on government subventions for A monthly magazine, The Nation, has its existence. TV license fee collections continued to provide socio, political and have not generated enough revenue for economic analysis in the local context. sustenance public broadcasting. Neither does Swazi TV Rentals the station’s sub- State of Broadcasting sidiary responsible for renting out TV sets make enough money. The state owned Swaziland Television The country’s national broadcast- and Swaziland Broadcasting and Infor- ers have taken major strides towards mation Services (Radio Swaziland) have securing digital equipment. Both have failed to promote a plurality of voices. installed digital equipment. However, the

132 So This is Democracy • 2011 major challenge will be in television for The Prime Minister then directed SPTC to the reasons already stated above. make an “appropriate recommendation Furthermore, there is no existence of to SCOPE on the matter of an interna- a clear digital roadmap that states time- tional gateway partner.” lines for the migration to digital. In 2011, When this matter was discussed in only one meeting was convened for ma- Parliament the Prime Minister said the jor stakeholders to deliberate issues on then minister responsible for telecom- digitalisation. A team has already been munications, Minister of Information appointed by the Ministry of Informa- and Communication Technology, Ms. tion to develop policy and an implemen- Nelsiwe Shongwe was not aware of the tation plan on digital migration. Still, a deal. The PM told Parliament that at least major challenge will be the financing of SEACOM should have been given a 10- the digital migration process. With the year monopoly. current fiscal challenges currently facing Therefore, the bone of contention the government, many citizens are likely between SPTC and MTN is the latter’s de- to be marginalized come 2013 (SADC sire to use its own international gateway. deadline) and 2015 (ITU). SPTC, on the other hand, is reluctant as it wants all traffic routed through its ICTs and telecommunications own systems. An irony is that the MTN boardroom is dominated by SPTC with 41 This has been the battleground be- percent shareholding in MTN Swaziland. tween the incumbent fixed line provider, MTN Group has 30 percent, empower- Swaziland Posts and Telecommunica- ment group, Swazi Empowerment Limit- tions Corporation (SPTC), a monopoly, ed, 19 percent and the remainder owned and the only mobile telephone operator, by the King of Swaziland. Mobile Telephone Network (MTN). The SPTC recently introduced One Mobile impasse has been caused by the failure which action, predictably, was not well to put in place an independent regula- received by MTN. MTN sought legal re- tory framework and government’s con- course on the matter and won. SPTC has stant interference. For instance the Gov- also introduced fixed mobile services and ernment forced the fixed line operator these have been popular with many citi- to cancel a deal it had entered into with zens. SEACOM. The cost of telecommunications is The background is that government still prohibitive. Accessing the Internet argued that the 41.4million Pound deal is still expensive thus cutting out many between SPTC and SEACOM is irregular people from having access to online ser- in that the latter was given a 20-year vices. MTN shifts the blame to SPTC ar- monopoly. Further, government argued guing that the cost of accessing the In- that this deal was concluded without the ternet through mobile telephony would approval of the Cabinet Standing Com- be affordable if they were allowed to use mittee on Public Enterprises (SCOPE). their own gateway, which has third gen-

So This is Democracy • 2011 133 Swaziland

eration (3G) capacity. posts in their print newspaper. Radio However, the existence of Sales Tax announcers at the national radio station on telecommunications services such as read comments posted on Facebook too. airtime has an adverse effect on the ac- However, these are on general topics cess and use of these telecommunica- that do not court any controversy such tion services. To highlight this fact, both as greeting messages. Other social me- MTN and SPTC increased their tariffs on dia such as Twitter are less popular. December 1, 2011 to cater for the tax ex- penses. Conclusions and Projections

New Digital Media and Social The year 2012 is likely to have a huge Media impact on the media. The fiscal challenges facing Swaziland are likely to The use of social media has been transform the political landscape should gaining momentum recently. This could the problem persist. The call for political be attributed, in part, to the constant reforms within and beyond the borders sourcing of story ideas by the newspa- of Swaziland could prove to be a gain for pers from social networks, in particular advocates for media freedom. Hopefully, Facebook. The government of Swaziland the MCC will be able to engage the gov- has however expressed its concern over ernment and fight off attempts to insti- the use of social media, threatening to tute statutory regulation of the media. ban the use of such network sites in Access to information is still going Swaziland. to be a major challenge. Those who are Ordinary citizens have found a public marginalized will continue to be at the space where they discuss issues that the periphery of the new digital media. It local media dare not highlight. However, is highly unlikely that those who have only a section of the Swazi population enjoyed the privileges of the prevailing uses these media. Many Swazi citizens status quo on the political front would have not been empowered with digital want to allow a climate of access to in- media literacy skills neither do they have formation by wider society. As long as access to the Internet, due in part, to the the government still has control of radio, reasons of cost outlined above. The basic it is not going to let go of its agenda to uses of mobile phones – voice calling and give the public only that information it short service messaging – still prevail. decides. Against this backdrop, trade un- Mainstream media uses of new me- ions and civil society organisations will dia applications are not rare. The Swazi find it very hard to push for reforms in Observer, for example, publishes some the country, especially if they cannot of its stories on their Facebook page, al- communicate their ideas to rural com- lowing for instant interaction with their munities. audiences. The Swazi Observer also posts The battle between SPTC and MTN is comments generated from the online likely to continue in 2012. In fact with-

134 So This is Democracy • 2011 out an independent regulator in place the daggers will still be drawn. It remains PORTUGUESE to be seen if the government will finally yield to a call for an independent regula- VERSION tory framework in the telecommunications sector. The road to digital migration Introdução is likely to be slowed down by the fiscal challenges facing the country. Content O ano 2011 foi repleto de desafios development for digital broadcasting is para a Imprensa na Suazilândia. Foram likely to be another major challenge. emitidas ordens do tribunal para tentar Barring the cost of access, social net- censurar a imprensa, alguns jornalistas works are going to be used extensively as foram atormentados e um jornal foi people find a voice in a country where ameaçado de encerramento. A censura there is no freedom of expression on da imprensa veio à tona quando o Chefe some key issues. The House of Senate de Justiça Michael Ramodibedi ordenou is likely to call upon government to put que o jornal privado Times of Swaziland in place stringent measures to censor parasse de publicar artigos sobre ele após South Africa’s publications that circulate três longos meses de crise judicial no in Swaziland and to also come up with país, que culminaram com o boicote dos strategies to police social network sites. tribunais, pelos advogados. O panorama dos meios de comuni- cação continua ainda o mesmo, se se considerar que não há registo de novas entidades. O governo continua a não querer libertas os órgãos de informação. Já passam muitos anos desde que a ideia da independência dos órgãos de in- formação foi debatida. As propostas de fusão da televisão e da rádio estatais num único órgão de radiodifusão continuam muito longe da realidade. A fusão entre a rádio e a televisão estatais continua sendo debatida, não havendo nada feito, de concreto. A ser efectivada, esta fusão resultaria numa melhoria de serviços, bem como uma opção para a actual crise financeira que a Televisão da Suazilândia está a enfrentar. A estação (Swaziland Television) não tem estado a render suficientemente para pagar os custos fixos, aportando-se

So This is Democracy • 2011 135 Swaziland

dos subsídios do Estado. Se estes subsí- “Comissão de Reclamações da Midia” dios forem suspensos, a estação encer- (Media Complaints Commission) tem es- rará. Por outro lado, a Rádio Suazilândia tado a advogar há mais de quatro anos está a prosperar. O único desafio é que o para o estabelecimento de um órgão rendimento produzido através de publi- auto-regulador da comunicação social. cidades, anúncios e programas patroci- A MCC tem estado a ganhar terreno e nados são arrastados para os cofres do começou a operar em pleno em Fevereiro governo. de 2012 embora sem uma base financei- Por isso, a fusão lhes permitiria des- ra sólida. Talvez os Jornalistas da Swazi frutar de uma independência financeira sob a bandeira da Swaziland National relativa e permitir-lhes dar uma cobertu- Association of Journalists (SNAJ) se in- ra compreensiva de notícias e serviços. teressem mais no MCC para assegurar a Todavia, isso não significa que desfrutar- sua sustentabilidade. iam de uma total liberdade de imprensa. Por outro lado, a nomeação de ofi- Outra vantagem da fusão é que a ciais de informação dentro dos minis- Rádio Suazilândia tem repórteres nas térios do governo vai provavelmente zonas rurais, que fazem com que a es- acentuar o fluxo da informação e apre- tação esteja em constante contacto sentar novas oportunidades para uma com cidadãos ao nível das comunidades, interacção frutífera entre os oficiais e os contrariamente à TV pública. Dai que, jornalistas. uma fusão iria significar que qualquer cobertura ou serviço feito seria para Acesso a informação o benefício de ambos auditórios (tel- espectadores e ouvintes), o que não tem O acesso a informação no contexto estado a acontecer até ao momento. Swazi continua ilusório. A interferência Os desafios fiscais no país resultaram pelo estado e a censura tendenciosa da na decisão do governo da Suazilândia imprensa ainda persiste. Os jornais elec- de parar de patrocinar estudantes in- trónicos continuam sendo um domínio scritos para os cursos de jornalismo e exclusivo do estado, facto que resulta na comunicação massiva na Universidade marginalização de muitos cidadãos que de Suazilândia, ostensivamente porque não têm acesso a outros meios de acesso o Jornalismo não é uma das suas “pri- a informação. oridades”. A decisão pelo Ministro dos Re- Estamos perante uma situação em cursos Naturais e Energia, Princesa que o governo não impulsiona o jornal- Tsandzile (Dlamini) de proibir o acesso ismo, nem a liberdade de imprensa. Há a informação na Repartição da Imprensa aqui padrões dúbios, se se considerar que devido ao escândalo envolvendo a Min- é o mesmo governo quem muitas vezes istra da Habitação e Desenvolvimento reclama ou lamenta sobre o estado da Urbano, Sra. Lindiwe Dlamini que vendeu imprensa. a Crown Land por um preço muito baixo Apesar destes desafios, o registo da a outros ministérios, é só mais um caso

136 So This is Democracy • 2011 dentre vários. políticas do jornal, explicada em parte, As comunidades rurais, os pobres e pelos comentários do seu editor, feito pessoas deficientes ainda são excluídos em Junho de 2011, segundo o qual a no acesso a informação. A maioria dos Suazilândia não precisa de democracia. cidadãos Swazis vive em áreas rurais. Apesar de vários desafios, a imprensa es- Muitas destas pessoas confiam nas rá- crita destaca-se por tentar realçar a cor- dios para obterem a informação que não rupção no sector público. é de todo inclusiva. A Rádio destaca mais Ao longo dos anos, houve uma informações sobre saúde, educação e tendência de se confiar mais nos jornais bem-estar social dos cidadãos, embora o Sul-africanos no que tangia a publicação formato de disseminação de tais infor- de artigos de interesse público, não pub- mações não seja interactivo, aparecendo licados na imprensa local por medo de no sentido topo-base. Esta situação leva represálias. a que os cidadãos não tenham a opor- Existem jornais alternativos aos tunidade de participar activamente públicos, mas publicam conteúdos mer- nos programas de rádio, excluindo-os amente tablóides. Alguns porém, tende contribuir para o desenvolvimento tam cobrir assuntos contenciosos. Uma político-social do seu país, em todas as revista mensal, The Nation “A Nação”, vertentes. destaca-se pela sua análise de factos so- A participação dos cidadãos nestes ciopolíticos e económicos, no contexto assuntos como saúde, educação e agri- local. cultura é extremamente de desejar, mas não tem sido considerada pelos serviços A situação da radiodifusão de radiodifusão pública. Outra área temática menos abrangida, é a da glo- A Swaziland Television e Swaziland balização e mudanças climáticas. Broadcasting and Information Services (Radio Swaziland) pertença do Estado, Situação da imprensa escrita têm falhado na promoção da pluralidade de vozes. As Rádios em particular, O Swazi Observer pertencente à Tibi- estão sob vigilância constante do Estado. yo é o segundo maior jornal em circu- A título de exemplo, um locutor foi im- lação e leitura. O fracasso na publicação pedido pela administração da estação de de certas informações de interesse públi- solicitar as visões do público sobre a crise co sobre alguns indivíduos nos escalões financeira que assola o país. de poder pode ter tido impacto na as- Em Março de 2011, a estação Radio censão e credibilidade dos jornais. Swaziland deixou de emitir programas da O Times of Swaziland que sempre British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) foi uma baliza de esperança, oferecendo na sua programação devido à difusão de cobertura em assuntos diversos, já não comentários críticos do governo do dia, tem a mesma influência que teve nos no seu programa para África. Em Abril anos 80 e 90. Isto deve-se às actuais de 2011 o Primeiro-ministro do país,

So This is Democracy • 2011 137 Swaziland

Dr Barnabas Dlamini em sessão de café o governo está a enfrentar, provavel- da manhã com editores, disse ao editor mente muitos cidadãos serão marginali- mais antigo ao serviço da estação que, zados durante o prazo estabelecido pela tratando-se de uma estação do governo, SADC (2013) e ITU (2015). teria que cumprir com as ordens do seu ‘dono’. Neste caso, o dono é o Rei Mswati TIC e telecomunicações III. A Rádio é proibida de cobrir qualquer actividade que envolve acções de protes- Neste campo, houve umm braço tos por parte dos sindicatos, estudantes de ferro entre o incumbente da telefo- e outros grupos cívicos. Quaisquer vozes nia fixa, Swaziland Posts and Telecom- contrárias ao regime do dia não têm es- munications Corporation (SPTC), um paço tanto na rádio, como na televisão, monopólio, e a única rede de telefonia públicas. móvel, a Mobile Telephone Network A programação infantil é conspícua (MTN). O impasse foi causado pelo fra- por sua ausência em rádio e televisão. Na casso de se poder pôr em voga um órgão televisão, os conteúdos locais continuar- regulador independente e a constantes am sendo afectados pela falta de finan- interferências do governo. A título de ças, tornando a produção do conteúdo exemplo, o Governo forçou a operadora infantil indesejável. A estação depende da linha fixa a cancelar um acordo que completamente de subvenções do gov- fizera com a SEACOM. erno para a sua existência. A colecta de Na altura, o governo argumentou taxas de licença de TELEVISÃO não gerou que os 41.4 milhões de Libra referentes rendimento suficiente para o auto-sus- ao acordo entre a SPTC e SEACOM eram tento da radiodifusão pública. ilegais porque existia um prévio acordo Os locutores nacionais de radiodi- de monopólio com a primeira, a ser vi- fusão deram passos largos em introduzir gente por 20 anos. Mais adiante, o gov- o equipamento digital. Porém, o desa- erno argumentou que este acordo foi fio principal reside na componente tel- feito sem a aprovação do Gabinete do evisão, pelas razões ora declaradas. Comité Permanente dos Empreendimen- Além disso, não existe um roteiro tos Públicos “Cabinet Standing Com- rumo à migração digital, a curto prazo. mittee on Public Enterprises (SCOPE)”. O Em 2011, houve somente uma reunião Primeiro-ministro orientou então à SPTC visando concordar sobre a necessidade a fazer uma recomendação apropriada de os agentes estatais deliberarem so- ao SCOPE sobre o assunto. bre o assunto. Já foi nomeada uma Este assunto foi discutido no Parla- equipe pelo Ministério de Informação mento e o Primeiro-ministro disse que para desenvolver políticas e um plano o então ministro responsável pela pasta de implementação da migração digital. de Tecnologia de Informação e Comu- Entretanto, o desafio principal será o fi- nicação, Sra. Nelsiwe Shongwe não es- nanciamento do processo de migração tava a par da transacção. O PM disse ao em si. Com os actuais desafios fiscais que Parlamento que à SEACOM dever-se-ia

138 So This is Democracy • 2011 ter sido concedida um monopólio de 10 Novos Meios de Comunicação anos. Digital e Redes Sociais Significa que o impasse entre a SPTC e o MTN foi devido à vontade da última O uso das redes sociais tem ganho em usar seu próprio portal internacional. grande impulso. Isto poderia ser atribuí- Por outro lado, a SPTC está relutante em do, em parte, pela busca constante de id- ceder, por pretender que todo o tráfico eias informação dos jornais online a partir nacional seja feito através dos seus sis- das mesmas, com destaque ao Facebook. temas. Uma ironia é que o executivo da Entretanto, o governo da Suazilândia MTN é dominado pela SPTC, com 41 por expressou a sua preocupação quanto ao cento das acções na MTN Suazilândia. O uso das redes sociais, ameaçando proibir grupo MTN tem 30 por cento, o grupo de o uso delas no país. autorização Swazi Empowerment Limit- Os cidadãos comuns têm nessas redes ed, 19 por cento e o resto está nas mãos o seu espaço onde podem discutir assun- do Rei da Suazilândia. tos que os órgãos de comunicação social A SPTC introduziu recentemente a não ousam destacar. Porém, só uma por- One Mobile cuja acção não foi bem re- ção da população Swázi usa estas redes, cebida pela MTN. A MTN serviu-se de re- por vários motivos, sendo eles, a falta de cursos legais para ganhar a causa. A SPTC acesso à internet, a falta de habilitação também introduziu serviços móveis fixos para o uso de internet. O uso básico de que foram popularmente recebidos pelos telefones móveis - chamadas de voz e cidadãos. pequenos serviços de mensagem - ainda O custo das telecomunicações ainda prevalecem como os mais populares. é proibitivo. Aceder à Internet é ainda As actuais tendências para o uso de muito caro, privando assim muita gente novas aplicações pelos órgãos de code usar serviços on-line. A MTN transfe- municação têm sido prática. A título riu a culpa deste facto à SPTC argumen- de exemplo, o Swazi Observer publica tando que o custo de acesso à Internet parte das suas colunas nas páginas do por telefonia móvel estaria disponível se Facebook, permitindo uma interacção lhes permitissem usar o seu próprio por- imediata com a sua audiência. O Swazi tal que tem uma capacidade de terceira Observer por exemplo também publica geração (3G). comentários saídos dos posts on-line, no Porém, a taxação tem tido um efeito seu jornal impresso. Os locutores da rádio adverso no acesso e uso dos serviços de na estação nacional também lêem co- telecomunicação. Para realçar este facto, mentários da sua audiência, publicados a MTN e a SPTC aumentaram as suas no Facebook. Porém, estes são comen- tarifas no dia 1 de Dezembro de 2011, tários gerais e notas de saudações, e não para suprir os seus impostos relativos às propriamente mensagens que causam despesas. controvérsia. Outras redes sociais como Twitter são menos populares.

So This is Democracy • 2011 139 Swaziland

Conclusões e Projecções fios fiscais que o país está enfrentando. O desenvolvimento satisfatório da radi- É provável que 2012 continue sendo odifusão digital será provavelmente um um ano de desafios para a comunicação outro desafio. social. Acredita-se que os desafios fiscais Exceptuando o custo de acesso, as que Suazilândia está a enfrentar venham redes sociais vão ser usadas extensiva- a transformar o cenário político, caso a mente, já que as pessoas não encontram tendência actual prevaleça. As reformas voz num país onde não há nenhuma políticas dentro da Suazilândia consti- liberdade de expressão. É provável que tuiriam um ganho para os defensores da o Senado convoque o governo para ar- liberdade de imprensa. Há esperança de rolar sobre algumas medidas visando re- que o MCC possa engajar-se com o gov- stringir ou censurar os jornais e revistas erno na tentativa de instituir regulamen- sul-africanos que circulam no território tos estatutários para a imprensa. Swazi, bem como propor estratégias O acesso à informação continuará a visando policiar locais de redes sociais. ser um desafio a se ter em conta. A pop- ulação continuará a ter dificuldades no acesso às tecnologias e meios de comu- Alert nicação digitais. É altamente improvável Date: February 18, 2011 que os actuais beneficiários do status Person/ institution: Minister for quo político se interessem em expandir Health um clima de acesso a informação para Violation/ issue: Victory toda a sociedade. Enquanto o governo On 16 February 2011, in a positive ainda tiver controlo sobre a rádio, não development that augurs well for media deixará de fornecer ao público somente freedom in Swaziland, the Minister aquela informação que achar conveni- for Health Benedict Xaba ordered the ente. Este facto prejudicará à sociedade entire staff in his ministry to cooperate em geral, o que tornará difícil qualquer at all times with journalists seeking tentativa de imposição de reformas information from the ministry. políticas no país, particularmente no que tange às comunidades marginalizadas Alert do meio rural. Date: March 9, 2011 A batalha entre SPTC e MTN provav- Person/ institution: Swaziland elmente poderá continuar em 2012. Na Broadcasting and Information verdade, na ausência de uma entidade Services reguladora independente, a coisa tornar- Violation/ issue: Banned se-á mais difícil. Espera-se que o gover- The government of Swaziland has banned no proponha tal entidade independente the daily live transmission of BBC Focus para o sector das telecomunicações. O on Africa programme after one of the caminho para a migração digital poderá news clips, broadcast through the English ser reduzido provavelmente pelos desa- channel of the state radio, Swaziland

140 So This is Democracy • 2011 Broadcasting and Information Services was attacked and assaulted by a gospel (SBIS), was critical of government. singer who accused the journalist of writing bad stories about him. Though Alert an assault case was opened with the Date: March 25, 2011 police on the same night, the attacker, Person/ institution: Social Media Mzwakhe Myeni, is yet to be arrested. (Facebook) Violation/ issue: Threatened Alert The government of Swaziland has, and Date: May 12, 2011 continues to threaten with prosecution Person/ institution: Swazi Mirror people who are expressing themselves Violation/ issue: Censored using popular social media such as A man has run to court to stop a Facebook. The government has accused newspaper from publishing a story in the Facebookers as being too critical to which he is accused of extra-marital the government and the ruling elites in affairs with school girls. The unnamed Swaziland. director of a financial institution has obtained an interim High Court order Alert stopping Swazi Mirror newspaper from Date: April 15, 2011 publishing the story pending finalization Person/ institution: Editor of of the matter. Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services Alert Violation/ issue: Censored, Date: May 26, 2011 threatened Person/ institution: Swazi In an incident that borders on parliamentarians intimidation, an editor who openly Violation/ issue: Legislation challenged the Prime Minister on On 24 May 2011 Swazi parliamentarians government’s tendencies to censor called for a law to censor the foreign the state radio station, the Swaziland media circulating in Swaziland thereby Broadcasting and Information Services protecting the image of King Mswati III, (SBIS), was covertly told to resign if he Africa’s last absolute monarch. was not happy with the government policy. Alert Date: June 28, 2011 Alert Person/ institution: Swazi Mirror Date: May 9, 2011 Violation/ issue: Censored Person/ institution: Timothy In a rare case of censorship, a Swazi Simelane, Times of Swaziland businessman has gone to court to seek Violation/ issue: Beaten the closure of a newspaper which he On 7 May 2011 a reporter with the claims has written defamatory articles Times of Swaziland, Timothy Simelane, against him. The businessman, Boyce

So This is Democracy • 2011 141 Swaziland

Magongo, wants the High Court to registration certificate was finally issued issue an order declaring and directing by the Registrar of Companies on 7 June Swazi Mirror, a two-year old privately- 2011. owned newspaper, to stop publishing and distributing its copies until they Alert complied with the provisions of the Date: July 18, 2011 Books and Newspaper Act, 1963. Person/ institution: Times of Swaziland Communiqué Violation/ issue: Censored and Date: May 3, 2011 threatened Person/ institution: MISA- Swaziland The Government of Swaziland has Violation/ issue: Other interdicted the privately-owned Times of Speaking to journalists gathered Swaziland newspaper from continuing for World Press Freedom Day writing about the Chief Justice, Michael commemoration organized by MISA Ramodibedi, who has caused so much Swaziland on Tuesday 3 May 2011 Craig drama for suspending Justice Thomas Cloud, Charge d`Affairs in the American Masuku and charging him with 12 Embassy in Mbabane has said, Journalists charges that he will have to answer are not the only ones who should stand before the end of July 2011. Security up for press freedom but all citizens who Police stormed the Times office late on value an informed society. the 12th July 2011, serving the editor May 4, 2011: On 3 May 2011, the with a Court Order to stop publishing chairperson of MISA Swaziland, Bonisile any articles related to the Chief Justice. Dlamini, called on the Government of July 18, 2010: The Royal Swaziland Swaziland to speed up the process of Police under strict instruction from the liberating the airwaves and licensing Government of Swaziland were sent community radio broadcasters so as to to the Border (Oshoek/Ngwenya) to ensure the empowerment of citizens confiscate one of the South African Daily through access to information. the Sowetan Newspaper from circulation in Swaziland. This unfolded on Friday Communiqué Morning, 15 July 2011, when the border Date: June 8, 2011 opened for business. Of great note is that Person/ institution: Media the Sowetan carried a story about Chief Complaints Commission Justsice Michael Ramodibedi. Violation/ issue: Victory July 28, 2011: The Chief Justice (CJ) The long-awaited Media Complaints Michael Ramodibedi, has come out Commission (MCC), a media self- strongly over Swazi Media, accusing regulatory framework for Swaziland, has them of reporting negatively about finally been registered by the government him and not giving him a chance or after a long-drawn registration process right to reply. He claims that the media spanning the last four years. The went as far as reporting and publishing

142 So This is Democracy • 2011 damaging articles to his reputation that Alert he is allegedly sexually harassing female Date: August 4, 2011 staff at the High court. Person/ institution: Swazi journalists Violation/ issue: Censored Communiqué The Chief Justice, Michael Ramodibedi’s Date: August 3, 2011 instructed the police to kick out seven Person/ institution: Qhawe Mamba, Swazi journalists who had visited His Channel S chambers for an interview. Seven Police Violation/ issue: Other officers led by Sergeant Sibongile Motsa Qhawe Mamba the owner of Channel approached the journalists waiting and S, which recently came back on air, was ordered them out of the office. The harassed and insulted in a live broadcast. officers argued that members of the This happened during the Mass protest public are never allowed at the Justice by Labour movement in Manzini. Mamba Chambers as it was only for judicial who continued with his work, was told officers. Yet previously Journalists that he is also part of the system that would make an appointment through has caused so much misery by abusing the secretary of CJ, and they will be national resources that has led to the welcomed without any problem. present state of affairs. Alert Alert Date: August 11, 2011 Date: August 3, 2011 Person/ institution: Nation Magazine Person/ institution: Trade Unions Violation/ issue: Victory Violation/ issue: Censored The High Court Judge, Bheki Maphalala Once again the National Radio Station – dismissed Attorney General Majahenkaba Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Dlamni’s application to proceed with Services (SBIS) decided to deny the the case against the Nation Magazine. Trade Unions to air their announcement, The court wrangled between the two, aimed at calling their members to protest following the publication of supposedly action after winning a case against the defamatory statements against the Government at the Industrial Court Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi. The issued by Judge Dumisani Mazibuko. case was enrolled to be argued before Not only was the Labour movement the High court, but Bob Sigwane the deprived of information but also are Nation’s Attorney could not arrive since further hurt by the Station’s reluctance the Law Society was on strike following in disseminating information about the the judiciary crisis the country is facing. strike and its reasons thereof.

So This is Democracy • 2011 143 National By Peter Mataba a lecturer in Journalism and Overview Media Studies at St. Augustine South Africa University of Tanzania (SAUT) 2011 in Mwanza, Tanzania

144 So This is Democracy • 2011 Introduction Several cases have been taken to and resolved by the Media Council of Tanza- When local journalist Tumaini nia (MCT) and others to court, many of Msowoya (Mwananchi newspaper) read which take time to be ruled. One of the the police report on a woman who was recently resolved cases by the High Court wounded on her leg as being the result of Tanzania was that involving former of ordinary metal fracture, she could not minister for good governance, Mr Wilson believe her eyes. She decided to follow Masilingi and the local Swahili newspa- up the story at the Iringa regional hos- per, RAI and its contributing columnist pital. What she found out was shocking. Prince Bagenda. “The stories aired around town were The court instructed the accused to that a police woman had shot another pay Mr Masilingi the some of Tshs15 woman on the leg on grounds of stealing million (about 9000 USD) as damages her husband. The hospital reports show for publishing malicious and defama- that the piece of metal extracted from tory statements against him. The court the leg was indeed a bullet and even the ordered RAI newspaper to pay Tshs10 wounded woman’s child, a boy of about million and Mr Bagenda was supposed to 8 years, confirmed that her mother was pay Tshs5 million in addition to publish- shot as they were walking along the ing an apology on the first and second street”, says Msowoya. pages of the same newspaper in words When she ran the story, though un- that Mr Masilingi would be comfortable der a pseudonym, a series of unlucky with before they are published. The cash events ensued. First, she began being compensation was to be done within 14 hunted by the police, then her home was days after the ruling in addition to pub- broken into while she was sleeping and lishing the apology. all her working tools (the laptop, a tape The incidences present another face recorder, a camera and other equipment to a country that boasts itself as being worth Tshs3 million (about USD 2000) committed to respecting media freedom were taken. It was until she decided her- and freedom of expression and being self to go meet the Regional Police Com- praised by the international community. mander when the dust settled. In the period between 2010 and 2011, Access to information a series of incidents involving journalists being harassed by the police force, Tanzania is a signatory to international political leaders as well as the citizens laws on the right to access, receive themselves have been a common feature and impart information. Indeed, the in Tanzania. Journalists have their tools right to be informed and to access broken or taken away from them, ar- and disseminate information is also rested, threatened and/or being sued by recognized in Article 18(1) and 18(2) of politicians for large sums of cash, most of the Constitution of Tanzania: which will paralyse media houses if paid.

So This is Democracy • 2011 145 Tanzania

Without prejudice to expression the most of which Tanzania is a signatory. laws of the land, every person has the right It is the responsibility of the govern- to freedom of opinion and expression, and ment to enact good Laws to enhance the to seek, receive and impart or disseminate accessibility of information by its citizens information and ideas through any media for the enjoyment of such rights. But if regardless of national frontiers, and also the government is not ready for this, has the right of freedom from interference then Members of Parliament should use with his communications. Rule 81 to have individual MPs or Par- Every citizen has the right to be in- liamentary Committees to initiate and formed at all times of various events in the table a private motion for a Bill to enact country and in the world at large which a Law that would guarantee the right to are of importance to the lives and activi- information in Tanzania. ties of the people and also of issues of im- The recently launched African Plat- portance to society (URT, 1998). form on Access to Information (APAI) In practice, however, the extent to Declaration is still a new thing in the which Tanzanians enjoy these constitu- country. Not many are aware of it and tional mandates is far from certain be- this includes media practitioners them- cause translating legal and constitutional selves. More needs to be done, particular- rights into bureaucratic mandates and op- ly in terms of popularizing the document erational practices remains a key challenge to key stakeholders (both in government to Tanzania. and private) who will in turn take it to In fact, the government of Tanzania the general public. had prepared two draft bills on access to information; the Freedom of Informa- State of print media tion Bill (2006) and the Media Service Bill (2007). The two draft bills were however The print media development in Tan- found wanting and media stakeholders zania is acclaimed as exemplary in East rejected them. Instead, they formed a coa- Africa and Africa so far. Tanzania has lition under the Media of Council of Tan- nearly 700 registered newspapers, 19 zania (MCT) and prepared two alternative dailies, 41 weeklies and over 50 other Bills, the Right to Information Bill (2007) regulars. and the Media Service Bill. The two bills However, the consumption of news- were presented to the government in 2007 print in Tanzania is still the lowest in East but since then the latter has kept silent Africa. For example, a combined circula- and done nothing serious about the bills. tion of four English dailies (Daily News, The right to information is a basic right The Citizen, Guardian, and The African) for every human being as guaranteed and is less than 50,000 copies whereas the protected in the Constitution of the United circulation of The Daily Nation alone in Republic of Tanzania, including in a num- Kenya is 150,000 copies by comparison. ber of international and regional instru- Moreover, the culture of reading ments for the protection of human rights, in Tanzania is falling drastically; this is

146 So This is Democracy • 2011 partly due to the growing illiteracy in vices like paging and data-casting. Digital the country. According to the reports, TV produces high quality pictures, delivers 28.6% (13.6 million) of the 45 million more channels and facilitates convergence Tanzanians cannot read or write in any of services. Both types of digital broad- language. And lastly, metropolitan bias is casting reduce the problem of interruption very high with print media in Tanzania when airing programs. Eventually citizen as urban and peri-urban areas continue journalism will get boosted as more cable to enjoy high coverage compared to ru- TV services and FM radio stations involving ral areas. non-journalists in news dissemination are expected to be established. State of Broadcasting Currently, TV covers only 19% of the urban Tanzania population and only 5% of The state of broadcast media in Tan- the total population of Tanzania. Moreover, zania is relatively impressive. Overall, the high cost of batteries for radio sets and Tanzania has 128 registered radio sta- lack of electricity provision to rural dwell- tions, of which 53 are on air. Also Tan- ers, as well as the high costs of owning zania has a total of 54 TV stations thats television sets remain a challenge in this are licensed. Out of these, 28 TV stations aspect. are on air. Radio penetration in Tanzania Generally, the ownership of media is very high, now estimated at 87.7%. (both print and broadcasting) in Tanzania Nearly 60% of households in Tanzania is either state-owned or private. The state- own radio sets. owned media refers to “media channels On the other hand, Tanzania is pro- that are owned, operated or controlled by gressing in the application of digital the government, as well as channels that technology as required by the Interna- are managed by government appointees or tional Telecommunications Union (ITU) that are governed by boards, a majority of that member states should migrate from whose members are selected by the gov- analogue to digital by the year 2015. The ernment or ruling party”. Private-owned Tanzania Communications Regulatory media, according to the definition by the Authority (TCRA), a statutory regulator International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), behind the process has already issued refers to “press independent from govern- certificates to three multiplex operators ment, political or economical control or that will be responsible for compilation, from control of material and infrastructure operation and marketing of broadcasting essential for production and dissemination content. They are Star Media (T) Ltd, Ba- of media outlets”. The ownership of private sic Transmission Ltd and Agape Associ- media in Tanzania if further categorized ates Ltd. into four groups: private (commercial), pri- Transmission and reception of radio vate (non-profit), private (sectarian/parti- signals using digital technology is cred- san), and independent (non-state). ited for producing high quality sound, However, except for few media (like and also for accommodating special ser- Raia Mwema, which is owned by profes-

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sional journalists themselves), almost all first time in the 2010 general elections of the privately-owned media in Tanza- where websites, blogs, networking sites nia are not only owned by politicians- like Facebook and Twitter were used to cum-businessmen but, also there is conduct election campaigns. Some of heavy presence of the ruling Chama cha the renowned blogs and social forums in Mapinduzi (CCM) cadres. Tanzania include the Issa Michuzi (http:// Among 11 prominent media firms in issamichuzi.blogspot.com) and Jamii Fo- Tanzania, nine are owned by politician- rums (http://jamiiforums.com). cum-businessmen who have known links Others are Abdallah Mrisho (http:// to the CCM. These include, Rostam Aziz, abdallahmrisho.blogspot.com), Food for Anthony Diallo, Nazir Karamagi, Aden Thought (http://haki-hakingowi.blogs- Rage, among others. The other two me- pot.com), Swahili Time (http://swahili- dia firms are owned by politicians who time.blogspot.com), Dr. Faustin Baraza have known links to Chama cha Maen- (http://funguajicho.blogspot.com), Mag- deleo na Demokrasia (CHADEMA), name- gid Mjengwa (http://mjengwa.blogspot. ly Freeman Mbowe and Ndesamburo. com), Mohamed Dewji (http://moham- This means, despite all the praises, the eddewji.blogspot.com) and Wanabidii claim of there being private media - and (http://wanabidii.blogspot.com). for that matter - a free press in Tanzania However, the Internet is accessed is questionable. by only 1% of Tanzanian population. In response to this, Tanzania has embarked ICT AND Telecommunications, on infrastructural developments that New Media and Social Media will have - and in some cases are already having - impact on the country’s ICT ICT and new media in Tanzania have sector and consequently social media or been on the rise in recent years in Tan- new media. They include the inaugura- zania. Tanzania is fourth (after South tion of the Seacom Fibre Optic Cable and Africa, Nigeria and Kenya) in mobile the National ICT Optical Fibre Backbone phones penetration. Mobile phones were Network project. particularly used to reach village grass- The Seacom Fibre Optic Cable is the roots in the remotest parts of Tanzania 17,000-kilometre undersea fibre optic during the 2010 elections. According to cable that links South and East Africa statistics, over 18 million mobile phones countries to Europe and Asia. The ca- are registered in Tanzania. ble provides broadband to countries in Social media (websites and blogs) in East Africa currently relying on satellite Tanzania are not required to register or connections. These satellite connections obtain permission from state authority are said to be more expensive. With in- like in other media outlets such as print creased bandwidth there will be a big or broadcasting. Only Internet Service boost in Internet services in the sense Providers (ISPs) are required to register. that more entrepreneurs will invest in Social media were notably used for the this line of business which will operate

148 So This is Democracy • 2011 more efficiently and perhaps with bigger profit margins. This trend is also likely PORTUGUESE to bring about a surge in Internet users whose number in Tanzania is still low VERSION and consequently more participation of citizens in the media through collecting, Introdução processing and dissemination of information. Quando a Jornalista local, Tumaini The National Fibre Optic Cable Net- Msowoya (do Jornal Mwananchi) leu o work is a 10,000-kilometre inland optic relatório da policia sobre uma mulher fibre cable network meant to facilitate que foi ferida no pé como resultado da ICT connectivity to district level in the fractura de um metal ordinário, não pode country and even connect landlocked segurar os seus olhos. Decidiu seguir a neighboring countries. The network will história no hospital regional de Iringa. O address ICT needs at grassroots level (vil- que ela descobriu foi chocante. lage level). It will also promote participa- “As histórias que pairavam na cidade tion of citizens in information collection eram de que uma mulher policia atirou and dissemination especially in cases of contra outra mulher na perna sob pre- e-education, e-health e-business, e-ag- texto desta ter roubado o seu marido. riculture and e-government. Os relatórios do hospital mostram que o pedaço de metal extraído da perna era Conclusion na verdade uma munição e mesmo a cri- ança da vitima de 8 anos de idade, con- For the past two decades, Tanzania firmou que sua mae foi alvejada enquan- has witnessed significant progress in the to caminhavam pela rua”, diz Msowoya. media. The recent achievements in digi- Quando ela contou a história em- tal broadcasting and infrastructural de- bora sobre um pseudónimo, uma série de velopments in ICT and telecommunica- eventos desastrosos começaram a surgir. tion are a boost to these developments. Primeiro começou a ser procurada pela However, the political will appears to polícia e depois a sua casa foi assaltada be a setback to the smooth progress of enquanto dormia e todo o seu mate- these initiatives. Unless the stakeholders rial de trabalho (o laptop, um gravador commit themselves to accomplishment de fita magnética, uma câmara e outras of what they have started, the acclaimed coisa avaliadas em Tshs3 milioes (cerca media in Tanzania faces disappointment de USD 2000) foram levadas. A poeira só in 2012. baixou quando ela decidiu encontrar-se com o Comandante Regional da Polícia. No período entre 2010 e 2011, uma série de incidentes involvendo Jornalis- tas sendo fustigados pela força policial, lideres politicos e também cidadãos têm

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sido características comuns na Tanzania. Acesso a informação Os Jornalistas viram seu material queb- rado ou levado por eles, presos, ameaça- A Tanzania é signatária a leis inter- dos e/ou sendo processados por politicos nacionais sobre o direito de acesso, recom grandes somas de valor, muitos cessão e divulgação. Deveras, o direito desses valores se recebidos vão paralisar de ser informado e acessar e disseminar as casas da midia. infomaçoes é também reconhecido no Foram registados muitos casos e re- Artigo 18(1) e 18(2) da Constituição da solvidos pelo Conselho da Midia Tanza- Tanzania: niana “Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) Sem preconceito a expressão das e outros pelo tribunal, dos quais muitos leis de terra, todo individuo tem direito levam tempo a serem regulamentados. a liberdade de opinião e expressão e de Um dos casos recentes resolvidos pelo acompanhar, receber e divulgar ou dis- Tribunal Supremo da Tanzania foi aquele seminar informaçoes e ideias através de que involveu o ministro cessante por qualquer midia, não obstante as fron- boa governação, Sr. Wilson Masilingi e o teiras nacionais, e também tem o direito Jornal local Swahili, RAI e seu colunista a liberdade de interferências com suas contribuinte Prince Bagenda. comunicaçoes. O tribunal instruiu o acusado a pa- Todo o cidadão tem o direito de ser gar ao Masilingi a soma de Tshs15 mil- informado em todo momento de vários hoes (cerca 9000 USD) pelos danos de eventos no país e no mundo em geral ter publicado expressoes maliciosas e que são importatantes para as vidas e difamatórias contra ele. O tribunal or- actividades do povo e tamém de assun- denou o Jornal RAI a pagar Tshs10 mil- tos importantes para a sociedade (URT, hoes e o Sr. Bagenda deveria pagar Tshs5 1998). milhoes em adição para publicar uma Na prática, todavia, o ponto até pelo desculpa na primeira e segunda página qual os Tanzanianos desfrutam destes do mesmo Jornal com palavras que mandatos constitucionais, está muito dessem conforto ao Sr. Masilingi antes além do certo porque traduzindo direi- mesmo de serem publicadas. A compen- tos legais e constitucionais em manda- sação com os valores devia ser feita den- tos burocráticos e práticas operacionais tro de 14 dias em adição a publicação continuam sendo um desafio chave na das desculpas. Tânzania. Os incidentes apresentam uma outra De facto, o governo da Tânzania pre- imagem do país, que orgulha-se estar parou dois rascunhos de projecto de lei comprometido no respeito a liberdade de sobre o acesso a informação; o projecto imprensa e expressão e sendo elogiado de lei de acesso a informação (2006) e pela comunidade internacional. o projecto de lei de serviços da midia (2007). Os dois rascunhos porém, deix- aram muito a desejar e foram rejeitados pelos contribuites. Ao invés disso, eles

150 So This is Democracy • 2011 formaram uma aliança com base no Con- Estado dos Meios de selho da Midia Tanzaniana e prepararam Comunicação Social dois projectos alternativos, o Projecto lei Impressos de direito a informação e o Projecto lei dos Serviços da Midia. Os dois projectos O desenvolvimento dos meiso de foram apresentados ao governo em 2007 comunicação impressos na Tanzânia é mas desde então o posterior manteve si- aclamado como exemplar na África Aus- lencioso e não fez nada de sério sobre os tral e África até aqui. Tanzânia tem quase mesmos. 700 jornais registrados, 19 diários, 41 se- O direito a informaçã é um direito manários e mais de outros 50 regulares. básico para todo o ser humano, tal como Porém, o consumo da noticia im- garantido e protegido na Constituição pressa na Tanzânia ainda é o mais baixo da República Unida da Tânzania, inclu- da África Austral. Por exemplo, uma cir- sive numa série de instrumentos inter- culação combinada de cinco diários in- nacionais e regionais para a protecção gleses (Daily News, The Citizen, Guard- dos direitos humanos, muitos dos quais ian, e The African) é menos de 50,000 a Tânzania é signatária. cópias enquanto que a circulação do É da responsabilidade do governo de- Daily só no Quênia é 150,000 cópias por cretar boas leis para acentuar o acesso comparação. a informação aos seus cidadãos para Além disso, a cultura de leitura na que desfrutem de tais direitos. Mas se o Tanzânia está decaindo drasticamente; governo não está pronto para isso, então isto deve-se em parte devido ao cres- os Membros Parlamentares devem usar cente analfabetismo no país. De acordo a Regra 81 para que se tenha MPs ou com os relatórios, 28.6% (13.6 milhões) Comitês Parlamentares individuais para dos 45 milhões de Tanzanianos não iniciar e colocar a mesa um movimento sebem ler nem escrever em qualquer privado de um projecto lei para decretar idioma. E por ultimo, o preconceito met- uma Lei que garantiria o direito a infor- ropolitano é muito alto com os serviços mação na Tanzânia. de comunicação impressa na Tanzânia A Declaração da Plataforma afri- como áreas urbanas e peri-urbanas, con- cana sobre Acesso a Informação (APAI) tinuam desfrutando uma alta cobertura recentemente lançada ainda é uma comparada a áreas rurais. coisa nova no país. Não são muitos os que estão informados disto, e isto, in- Estado da radiodifusão e clui agentes da mídia em si. Muito ainda televisão precisa ser feito, particularmente em termos de popularizar o documento aos O estado da Televisão na Tanzânia é sócios chaves (ambos no governo e sec- relativamente impressionante. No total, tor privado) que por sua vez o levarão ao a Tanzânia tem 128 estaçoes de rádio público em geral. registrados, dos quais 53 estão no ar. Também tem um total de 54 estaçoes

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de TELEVISÃO licenseadas. Fora destes, de Tanzânia. Além disso, o custo alto de 28 estações de TELEVISÃO estão no ar. A baterias para aparelhos de rádio e falta penetração da rádio na Tanzânia é muito de provisão de eletricidade para os mo- alta, agora calculada em cerca de 87.7%. radores rurais, como também os custos Quase 60% das casas na Tanzânia têm altos de possuir televisores permanecem aparelhos de rádio. um desafio neste aspecto. Por outro lado, Tanzânia está pro- Geralmente, a propriedade de mídia gredindo na aplicação de tecnologia (impressão e radiodifusão) na Tanzânia é digital como exigido pela União Inter- do estado ou privado. Referimo-nos por nacional de Telecomunicações (ITU), que mídia estatal “ aos canais da midia pert- os estados membros devem migrar do encentes, operados e controlados pelo analógico para o digital até 2015. A Au- governo, assim como canais administra- toridade Reguladora das Comunicaçõe dos por alguém nomeado pelo governo de Tanzania (TCRA), um regulador es- ou partido no poder”. Midia privada, de tatutário atrás do processo já emitiu cer- acordo com a definição pela Federação tificados a três operadores de multiplex Internacional de Jornalistas (IFJ), se refere que serão responsáveis pela compilação, para “ imprensa independente do con- operação e marketing do conteúdo da trolo politico ou económico do governo radiodifusão. Eles são Star Media (T) Ltd, ou do control material e infra-estrutura Basic Transmission Ltd e Agape Associ- essencial para a produção e dissemi- ates Ltd. nação de informação”. A propriedade de A transmissão e recepção de sinais mídia privada na Tanzânia é mais adiante de rádio usando a tecnologia digital são categorizada em quatro grupos: privado acreditadas por produzirem um som de (comercial), privado (não-lucrativo), pri- alta qualidade, e também por acomodar- vado (sectário/partidário), e independ- em serviços especiais como paginação e ente (não-estatal). lançamento de dados. A Televisão digital Porém, com exceção de poucas mí- produz imagens de alta qualidade, per- dia (como Raia Mwema que é possuído mite mais canais e facilita a cobertura de por jornalistas profissionais em si), quase serviços. Ambos os tipos de radiodifusão todas as mídia privadamente-possuídas digital reduzem o problema de interrup- na Tanzânia não são apenas pertença de çoes quando emitindo programas. Even- políticos de negocios mas, também há tualmente, o jornalismo para o cidadão presença pesada de estruturas mandan- será impulsionado como espera-se que tes do Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). sejam estabelecidos mais serviços de TV Entre 11 empresas de mídia proemi- a cabo a estaçoes de rádio FM involvendo nentes na Tanzânia, nove são possuí- agentes não jornalistas na disseminação dos por políticos de negócios que têm de notícias. conexoes conhecidas com o CCM. Estes Atualmente, a TELEVISÃO cobre ap- incluem, Rostam Aziz, Anthony Diallo, enas 19% da população urbana de Tan- Nazir Karamagi, Aden Rage, entre outros,. zânia e apenas 5% da população total As outras duas empresas de mídia são

152 So This is Democracy • 2011 possuídas por políticos que têm ligações abdallahmrisho.blogspot.com), Food for conhecidas com Chama cha Maendeleo Thought (http://haki-hakingowi.blogs- na Demokrasia (CHADEMA), nomeada- pot.com), Swahili Time (http://swahili- mente, Freeman Mbowe e Ndesamburo. time.blogspot.com), Dr. Faustin Baraza Isto significa, que apesar de todos os elo- (http://funguajicho.blogspot.com), Mag- gios, a pretensão de que há midia privada gid Mjengwa (http://mjengwa.blogspot. e consequentemente liberdade de imp- com), Mohamed Dewji (http://moham- rensa na Tanzânia é questionável. eddewji.blogspot.com) and Wanabidii (http://wanabidii.blogspot.com). ICT e Telecomunicaçoes, Todavia, apenas 1% da população Novos Meios de Comunicação Tanzaniana pode acessar a internet. Em e Redes Sociais resposta a isso, a Tanzania embarcou no desenvolvimento de infra-estruturas que O ICT e a nova midia na Tanzania têm terá – e em alguns casos já está tendo – crescido nos anos recentes. A Tanzania impactos no sector de ICT do país e con- ocupa o quarto lugar (depois da África sequentemente na midia social ou nova do Sul, Nigéria e Quénia) em penetraçoes midia. Incluem a inauguração do Cabo de telefones móveis. Os telefones móveis de Fibra Optica Seacom e o projecto Na- foram particularmente usados para al- cional ICT Optical Fibre Backbone. cançar as raízes do capim das aldeias nas O Cabo de Fibra Optica Seacom é o partes mais remotas da Tanzania durante cabo de fibra optica de 17,000-kilometros as eleiçoes de 2010. Segundo estatisticas, que liga os paises do Sul e Este de África cerca de 18 milhoes de telefones móveis com a Europa e Asia. O cabo oferce uma estão registados na Tanzania. banda larga a paises no Este de África A midia social (websites e blogs) na que actualmente fiam-se nas conexoes Tanzania não precisam registar-se ou ob- de satélites. Essas conexoes dizem-se ter permissão das autoridades do estado serem mais caras. Com uma banda lar- como se verifica em outras formas de ga haverá um aumento cosiderável nos midia como radiodifusão ou impressão. serviços de Internet no sentido de que Apenas Fornecedores de Serviços de In- mais empresários investirão nesta linha ternet (ISPs) necessitam ser registados. de negócios, operando mais eficazmente A midia social foi notavelmente usada e talvez com margens de lucro maiores. pela primeira vez nas eleiçoes gerais Também é provável que esta tendên- de 2010 onde Websites, blogs, redes de cia provoque uma onda de usuários de comunicação como Facebook e Twitter Internet, cujos numeros na Tanzânia foram usadas para campanhas eleitorais. ainda são baixos e conseqüentemente Alguns dos blogs e fóruns reconhecidos mais participação dos cidadãos na mídia na Tanzania incluem a Michuzi (http://is- através da colecção, processamento e samichuzi.blogspot.com) e Jamii Forums disseminação de informação. (http://jamiiforums.com). A Rede Nacional do Cabo de Fibra Outros são Abdallah Mrisho (http:// Optica é um cabo de fibra optica no inte-

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rior de 10,000 kilómetros concebido para Communiqué facilitar a conectividade do ICT a nivel do Date: May 9, 2011 distrito no pais, mesmo para ligar paises Person/ institution: Media vizinhos cercados de terras sem acesso Violation/ issue: Other ao mar. A rede poderá tratar das necessi- The former Chief Justice, Augustino dades de raiz do ICT (a nivel das aldeias). Ramadhani has urged media fraternity to Também promoverá a participação dos lobby for inclusion of media freedom in cidadãos na busca de informaçoes e dis- the new Constitution. He elaborated on seminação especialmente nos casos de the meaning of Article 18 of Tanzanian e-ducação, e-saúde, e-negócios, e-agri- Constitution when he was giving a key cultura e e-governo. note address to media fraternity and other invitees on the occasion of World Conclusão Press Freedom Day celebration organized by MISA-Tanzania on 3 May 2011. Durante as últimas duas décadas, Tanzânia testemunhou progressos sig- Communiqué nificantes na mídia. As recentes reali- Date: June 15, 2011 zações em radiodifusão digital e desen- Person/ institution: Damas volvimentos de infra-estruturas em ICT Kanyabwoya and Daniel Mbega e telecomunicaçoes são um aumento a Violation/ issue: Victory estes desenvolvimentos. Two journalists of the Mwananchi Porém, o desejo político parece ser Communications Limited have been um retrocesso ao progresso suave des- selected for the 2011 Tanzania Media tas iniciativas. A menos que os socios se Fund Fellowship (TMF). The Citizen acting comprometam na realização do que eles Business Editor, Damas Kanyabwoya, and começaram, a aclamada mídia na Tan- Mwanaspoti’s sub-editor, Daniel Mbega, zânia enfrenta decepção em 2012. were named among six journalists selected countrywide to participate in the only fellowship programme in the country.

Alert Date: July 4, 2011 Person/ institution: Fidelis Felix, Mwananchi Communications Ltd Violation/ issue: Beaten A photojournalist, Fidelis Felix was on 1 July 2011, attacked by a police officer whilst on duty at the Sabasaba grounds in Dar es Salaam. He was attacked by a police officer in civilian clothes who

154 So This is Democracy • 2011 was later identified as Harrison. On defamatory statements against him. the 2nd July 2011, the Citizen reported In addition, the newspaper is required that, the incident occurred after the to publish an apology on the first and photojournalist took photos of security second pages of the same newspaper in personnel who had arrested an unknown words that Masilingi will be comfortable man for allegedly breaking a toy. with before they are published.

Communiqué Alert Date: July 12, 2011 Date: December 17, 2011 Person/ institution: Sharifa Kalokola, Person/ institution: Absalom The Citizen Kibanda Violation/ issue: Other Violation/ issue: Detained A journalist with The Citizen, Sharifa The Police on Friday questioned the Kalokola, has won recognition for health Managing Editor of a Swahili daily reporting during the Siemens Africa Newspaper, Tanzania Daima, Absalom Profile Awards held recently in Doha, Kibanda, over an opinion article recently Qatar. On the 10th July 2011, The Citizen published by the paper. reported that, she got a merit award for Kibanda, who is also a Chairman of the her article entitled “Abortion pills sold Tanzania Editors Forum, was questioned over the counter” during the annual on Friday December 16, 2011 for over event to honor journalists who excel in three hours at police headquarters in the field of science and health reporting. Dar es Salaam over the article, which the police claimed was “seditious”. Alert Date: November 17, 2011 Person/ institution: Prince Bagenda, RAI Violation/ issue: Sentenced The High Court of Tanzania has resolved the case involving Former Minister for Good Governance, Wilson Masilingi and the local Swahiili newspaper, RAI and its columnist, Prince Bagenda. The ruling followed a defamation case that was filed by Masilingi claiming that the writer and the newspaper published a defamatory statement in its edition of 2 August 2005. The court has the newspaper and Bagenda to pay Masilingi the some of Tshs 15 million (about 9000 USD) as damages for publishing malicious and

So This is Democracy • 2011 155 National Elizabeth Mweene Chanda Lecturer (Department of Mass Overview Communication, University of Zambia Zambia) 2011

156 So This is Democracy • 2011 Introduction and revocation of licences by government for giving coverage to the oppo- The manner the media covered topi- sition and being critical of government. cal issues in 2011 was characterised with A Lusaka-based radio station HOT FM a distinct watershed, which was dictated was threatened with closure for air- by the pre-election and post-election ing a morning breakfast show “Red Hot era syndrome.During the pre-election Breakfast Show” and for airing live po- era there was a clear divide between the litical rallies of the opposition Patriotic private and state owned media, with the Front (PF), whilst two radio stations Pe- state owned media being turned into tauke Explorers and Pasme in the Eastern political megaphones for the then ruling Province were allegedly instructed by a Movement for Multi-Party Democracy minister under the MMD government (MMD). not to host party leaders from the Pa- Media like the Zambia National triotic Front. Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) aban- The final blow to the private media doned their status as public media and came two days after elections when instead danced to the tune of the powers there was an order by the Electoral that be. This led to the relationship be- Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the tween the media and opposition parties Attorney-General to seek an injunction like the Patriotic Front (PF), to deteriorate barring private media houses from an- to an extent that journalists from state nouncing election results, a clear breach media were once barred from covering of their right to access information on and reporting atthe PF general confer- the electoral process of which they are ence. stakeholders. This conduct by the state media at- However, in the post-elections era tracted criticism from various quarters. there has been a great improvement in Organisations like Caritas Zambia, a the manner the media, and the state non-governmental organisation, con- media are covering topical issues. A demned the state media for operating media monitoring exercise carried by like party cadres at the expense of creat- the Zambia Elections Media Monitoring ing a platform for constructive dialogue Project (ZEMMP)(coordinated by MISA- and setting the agenda for all politicians Zambia and the Press Association of in an election year. Others like the Law Zambia) found that the media content Association of Zambia (LAZ) stated that and coverage was no longer dictated by media like ZNBC were contravening the political whims. ZNBC Act,which mandated them to give balanced coverage of national issues. Freedom of Information Law These criticisms however did not yield any results. The Freedom of Information Bill in The private media on the other hand Zambia has been lying in limbo for the received continued threats of closure past decade despite calls over the years

So This is Democracy • 2011 157 Zambia

from various stakeholders for govern- party) operations. ment to enact this very important piece Based on this background, there is of legislation. need for the media to bring on board the The coming into power by the Patri- grassroots, civic society and Members of otic Front(PF) in September 2011 brought Parliament (MPs) through massive sensi- in a new ray of hope. This is as a result tisation that the FOI is meant to facilitate of the renewed commitment that was access to information held by public and demonstrated by newly-elected govern- private bodies, to all citizens, before this ment to put in place a Freedom of Infor- law is finally tabled before Parliament. mation law (FOI). This will ensure that the FOI is seen as Former minister of Information ‘public need’ for all citizens and not just Broadcasting and Tourism, Given Lubinda a ‘tool’ the media will use to access in- in November 2011, pledged to work with formation from government stakeholders, to ensure that the FOI was put in place within six months. This, in State of the Print Media essence, means that the law should be in place by May 2012. The minister also There was a mushrooming of season- pledged to put together a committee al newspapers during the pre-election of experts to facilitate this process. This period which openly supported par- move will ensure that the end-product is ticular political parties. These included owned by, and has input of all stakehold- Stand Up for Zambia,The Zambian and ers. The Supreme Times. On a general level The renewed commitment by gov- the country has four daily newspapers ernment is timely as it collides with the i.e. the two state owned Times of Zam- newly launched African Platform on Ac- bia and The Zambia Daily Mail and The cess to Information (APAI) declaration Post and Daily Nation both of which are whose principles among others includes privately-owned. mandating African countries to enact laws that promote access to information. State of Broadcasting and A notable weakness of previous cam- Digital Migration paigns was that the FOI was seen as a law for the media fraternity only. This Zambia is among members of the was because the FOI was part of the laws Southern African Development Com- meant to facilitate media law reform munity (SADC) region that resolved to and was therefore a media driven cam- migrate to digital broadcasting by 2013, paign. As a result this led to a general two years ahead of the global deadline perception by government that the need given by International Telecommunica- for FOI was a media fight and if such a tion (ITU) of 2015. As a positive move law were to be enacted, then the media towards beating this deadline the Zam- would yield so much power that could bian National Broadcasting Corporation possibly affect government (and ruling (ZNBC), received Chinese-made digital

158 So This is Democracy • 2011 transmission equipment donated by the Boards to the minister of Information Chinese government and installed at the and Broadcasting for scrutiny and on Lusaka and Ndola stations for initial test- approval be submitted to Parliament for ing. ratification. However, at the local level and not- There has also been an increase in withstanding this development, not the number of community media sta- much strides have been made in facili- tions and the country currently has 19 tating this process. Another former Min- community radio stations and 7 reli- ister of Information and Broadcasting gious stations. These stations have en- Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha hanced coverage of governance issues did announce in 2010 the constitution at grassroots level. Notably, two commu- of a Digital Migration National Task- nity radio stations were commissioned force which was to develop a national in 2011, ItezhiTezhi Radio in ItezhiTezhi, roadmap, make recommendations and in Southern Province and Walamo Ra- generally oversee the national digital dio, on test transmission in Mpulungu, migration process. This included carrying Northern Province. out public awareness campaigns, hold- It must be noted that these are the ing consultative meetings and coming operating community radio stations up with a Digital Strategy Paper that, whilst there are many others have been according to the minister, should have registered and are in the process of be- been ready by June 2011. ing established thereby adjusting these However, none of these programmes official figures upwards. have been implemented, as there was no budgetary allocation in 2011 towards all ITC and Telecommunications of this. Chairperson for the task force, Mr Luwani Sokoonce indicated that they The country has made headway in needed USD 27 million to carry out these creating an enabling environment in view activities and called on government to ofthe 21st Century technological devel- devise an alternative funding strategy for opment in the way the media operate. the taskforce to commence operations, The objectives of the draft media but this was not done. With the deadlines policy though yet to be passed include fast approaching, there is urgent need among others promoting the availability for government to improve on this if the and use of ICTs in information gathering deadlines set by the SADC members and and establishment of a management in- indeed the ITU are to be met. formation system for improved decision Government has also pledged to making. This entails that government put in place the ZNBC and Independ- needs to put in place measures that will ent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Board. allow media houses to access and ac- The Media Liaison Committee has since quire new technologies for use in news submitted names for the ZNBC, IBA, The gathering. Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia

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This objective is currently compli- Conclusions and projections mented by the Information and Com- munication Technology (ICT) Actwhose The coming year is promising an objectives include the universal access improved environment for media op- programme and the main aim is to pro- erations with governments promise to mote access to ICT facilities to all citizens enact the revised Freedom of Informa- in Zambia. The Zambia Information and tion law. To make this process complete Communication Technology Authority it is important that media stakeholders (ZICTA)has embarked on a programme to capitalise on this goodwill to ensure that establish ICT facilities in the rural areas. the ZNBC and Independent Broadcast- This will boost the outreach of the media ing Authority Boardsare put in place and through the Internet although the suc- conduct themselves in a professional cess of this may be mitigated by other manner. factors such as literacy and Internet ac- cesscosts.

New media and Social Media

New media have allowed media houses to explore new ways of reaching their audiences. There are currently about 9 broadcast stations that are broadcasting on the Internet. Websites and blogs have also become a popular avenue for sharing and disseminating information and these include The Zambian Watch- dog, Lusaka Times and ZedLeaks, among others. Weblogs like Zambian Watchdog have become popular forum for public discussions and debate on governance issues affecting the nation.

160 So This is Democracy • 2011 cobertura equilibrada dos assuntos na- PORTUGUESE cionais. Todavia, estes criticismos nao resultaram em nada. VERSION A mídia privada por outro lado, receberam ameaças continuas de encerramento e revogação de licenças pelo Introdução governo por dar cobertura à oposição e por te críticado o governo. Uma estação A maneira como a mídia cobriram as- de rádio de Lusaka HOT FM foi ameaçada suntos tópicos em 2011 foi caracterizada de encerrar por emitir um espetáculo de com uma bacia distinta que foi ditada café da manhã “Red Hot Breakfast Show” antes pelo sindroma da pré-eleição e e por emitir ao vivo reuniões políticas da pós-eleição. Durante a era pré-eleitoral oposição Patriotic Front (PF), enquanto havia uma divisão clara entre a midia que duas estaçoes de rádio Petauke Ex- privada e estatal sendo a midia estatal plorers e Pasme, no este da provincial, transformada em megafones políticos foram supostamente instruidos por um pelo entao no poder Movement for Mul- ministro sob o governo de MMD para ti-PartyDemocracy (MMD). não ser anfitrião de líderes politicos da Uma midia como a Zambia Na- Patriotic Front. tional Broadcasting Corporation(ZNBC) O sopro final para a mídia privada abandonou o seu estatuto de imprensa veio dois dias depois das eleições quando pública e ao invés disso dançou à melo- havia uma ordem pela Comissão Eleito- dia dos poderes que são. Isto fez com ral da Zâmbia (ECZ) e o Advogado-geral que a relação entre a mídia e partidos procurando uma proibição que exclui a da oposição como Patriotic Front (PF), mídia privada de anunciar resultados deteriorassem ao ponto de os jornalistas eleitorais, uma brecha clara do seu direito da mídia estatal serem impedidos de faz- de acesso a informação sobre o processo erem coberturas e reportagens na con- eleitoral do qual eles são contribuintes. ferência geral da PF. Porém, na era pos-eleitoral houve Esta conduta da midia estatal atraiu uma grande melhoria na maneira como criticismos de várias divisoes. Organiza- a mídia, e a mídia estatal cobriram as- coes como Caritas Zâmbia, uma organi- suntos de destaque. Um exercicio de zação não governamental, condenou a monitorização da mídia feito pela Zam- imprensa estatal por operar como instru- bia Elections Media Monitoring Pro- mento politico a custo da criação de uma ject (ZEMMP) (coordenada pela MISA- plataforma para o diálogo construtivo e Zâmbia e a Associação de Imprensa da fixar a agenda de todos os políticos num Zâmbia) descobriram que o conteúdo e ano eleitoral. Outros como Law Associa- cobertura da mídia já não estava ser dition of Zambia (LAZ) declarou que uma tado pelos caprichos políticos. mídia como a ZNBC estava infringindo a Acta que os designou para fazer uma

So This is Democracy • 2011 161 Zambia

Lei da liberdade de informação por isso, foi uma campnha liderada pela imprensa. Como rsultado, isso levou a A lei de Liberdade de Informação na percepção geral pelo governo de que a Zâmbia tem estado na espectativa desde necessidade de Liberdade de Informação a última década apesar das reclamaçoes foi uma luta da imprensa e se tal lei é de vários contribuintes ao longo dos decretada, então a midia ganhará muito anos de o governo ordenar esta parte poder podendo possivelmente afectar importantissima da legislação. as operações do governo (e partido no A chegada no poder do Patriotic poder). Front(PF) em Setembro de 2011), trouxe Baseado neste contexto, há necessi- um novo raio de esperança. Este é re- dade da mídia trazerem as bases, so- sultado do compromisso renovado que ciedade cívil e Membros do Parlamento foi demonstrado pelo governo recente- (MP) através da sensibilização de que a mente eleito para pôr a existência uma Liberdade de Informação foi concebida lei de Liberdade de Informação. para facilitar o acesso a informação deti- O ex-ministro da Informação Radi- da pelo público e organismos privados, odifusão e Turismo GivenLubinda, em para todos os cidadãos, antes desta lei Novembro de 2011 implorou para tra- ser finalmente debatida pelo Parlamen- balhar com os contribuintes para asse- to. Isto assegurará que a Liberdade de gurar que a lei de Liberdade de Infor- Informação seja vista como ‘necessidade mação fosse posta em acção dentro de pública’ para todos os cidadãos e não ap- seis meses. O ministro também pediu enas uma ‘ferramenta’ que a mídia usará para organizar um comite de peritos para para acessar informaçoes do governo. facilitar o processo. Este movimento vai garantir que o produto final seja perten- Estado dos Meios de ça e tem a participação dos agentes. O Comunicação Social esforço renovado do governo é oportuno Impressos pois que coincide com a recentemente lançada declaração da Plataforma Afri- Houve um crescimento rápido de cana sobre o Acesso a Informação (APAI) jornais sazonais durante o período pré- cujos princípios entre outros incluem eleitoral que abertamente apoiou certos designando países africanos para orde- partidos políticos. Estes incluíram Stand nar leis que promovem o acesso a infor- Up for Zambia, Zambian and The Su- mação. preme Times. Em termos gerais, o país Uma fraqueza notável das campan- tem quatro jornais diários tais como, has anteriores foi a Lei de Liberdade de os dois pertencentes ao estado Times Informação ter sido vista como uma lei of Zambia e The Zambia Daily Mail e a apenas para a fraternidade da imprensa. The Post and Daily Nation ambos pert- Isto sucedeu porque a Liberdade de In- encentes ao sector privado. formação era parte das leis que falcil- itaram a reforma das leis de imprensa e

162 So This is Democracy • 2011 Estado da Radiodifusao e a para planificar uma estratégia de an- Migração Digital gariamento de fundos para a equipe de trabalho começar com as operações mas A Zâmbia está entre os membros da isso não foi feito. Com o prazo se aproxi- região da Comunidade de Desenvolvi- mando rapidamente, existe uma necessi- mento da Africa Austral (SADC) que dade urgente do governo neste sentido decidiu migrar para radiodifusão digital se é que os prazos impostos pela SADC e até 2013, dois anos antes do prazo global ITU devem ser respeitados. dado pela União Internacional de Teleco- O governo também garantiu por a municações (ITU) que é de 2015. Como funcionar a ZNBC e uma Autoridade movimento positivo para o alcance deste Independente de Radiodifusão (IBA). prazo, a Zambian National Broadcasting O Comité Intermediário da Ipmrensa ja Corporation (ZNBC) recebeu equipa- submeteu nomes para a ZNBC, IBA, The mento digital de transmissão de fabrico Zambia Daily Mail e Times of Zambia ao chinês, doado pelo governo chinês e in- ministro de Informação e Radiodifusão stalado nas estaçõe de Lusaka e Ndola para escrutinio e sobre a aprovação sub- para testes iniciais. metida ao Parlamento para ractificação. Todavia, a nivel local e não se opon- Também houve um aumento no do a este desenvolvimento, não foram número de esta ções comunitárias e o dados muitos passos largos para facili- pais actualmente tem 19 estações de rá- tar este processo. Outro ex-ministro de dios comunitários, 7 estações religiosas. Informação e Radiodifusão, Tenente- Essas estações melhoraram a cobertura general Ronnie Shikapwasha anunciou de assuntos de governação a niveis de em 2010 a constituição de uma equipe raiz. Notavelmente duas estações de rá- Nacional para a Migração Digital que dio comunitária foram comissionadas em desenvolveria o roteiro nacional, fazer 2011, ItezhiTezhi Radio em ItezhiTezhi, no recomendações e no geral vigiar o pro- Sul da Provincia e Walamo Radio,sobre cesso nacional de migração digital. Isto teste de transmissão em Mpulungu, Pro- incluiu levar a cabo campanhas públicas vincia mais ao Norte. de consciêncialização, realizando re- Deve notar-se que esta são as es- uniões consultivas e propondo um Plano tações de radio comunitárias em fun- Digital Estratégico que, de acordo com o cionamento enquanto existem outras ministro, deveria estar pronto em Junho em processo de serem estabelecidas dai de 2011. ajustando para cima essas figuras ofi- Porém, nenhum desses programas foi ciais. implementado pois que não houve alo- cação de verbas em 2011 para tudo isso. O president desta equipe de trabalho, Sr. Luwani Sokoonce mostrou que precisa- vam de USD 27milhoes para levar a cabo estas actividades e chamou o governo

So This is Democracy • 2011 163 Zambia

ITC e Telecomunicações na Internet. Websites e blogs também se tornaram uma avenida popular para O país fez progressos criando um compartilhamento e disseminação de in- ambiente facilitador na visaão de de- formação e estes incluem The Zambian senvolvimento tecnológico do Século 21 Watchdog, Lusaka Times e ZedLeaks, pelo modo que a mídia opera. entre outros. Weblogs como Zambian Os objetivos do esboço das políticas Watchdog tornou-se fórum popular para da mídia embora ainda a serem passa- discussões públicas e debates em assun- das, incluem dentre outras, promover a tos de governação que afectam a nação. disponibilidade e uso de ICTs na recolha de informação e estabelecimento de um Conclusões e projecções sistema de gestão de informação para a melhoria da tomada de decisoes. Isto im- O ano que se aproxima promete um plica que o governo precisa tomar medi- ambiente de melhorias para as operações das que permitirão as casas de imprensa da mídia com as promessas do governo acessar e adquirir novas tecnologias na de ordenar a lei revisada da Liberdade recolha de notícias. de Informação. Para completar este pro- Este objetivo é complementado ac- cesso é importante que os agentes da tualmente pela Informação e Tecnologia mídia capitalizem nesta benevolência de de Comunicação (ICT) Acta cujos objec- assegurar que a ZNBC e o Orgao Inde- tivos objetivos incluem o programa de pendente de Autoridade de Radiodifusão acesso universal e o alvo é promover o tomem lugar e comportem-se de uma acesso as facilidades da ICT para todos maneira profissional. os cidadãos na Zambia. A Autoridade Zambiana de Informação e Tecnologias de Comunicação (ZICTA) embarcou num programa de estabelecer as facilidades da ICT nas áreas rurais. Isto impulsionará a projeccao da mídia embora o sucesso desta possa ser mitigado por outros fac- tores como literatura e custos de acesso a internet.

Novos Meios de Comunicação e Redes Sociais

Os novos meios de comunicação permitiram a mídia explorar novos modos de alcançar a sua audiência. Actualmente existem aproximadamente 9 estações de radiodifusão que estão difundindo

164 So This is Democracy • 2011 Alert because it was appointed late last year Date: January19, 2011 after the budget had already been Person/ institution: Radio Lyambai drafted. Violation/ issue: Detained On 18 January 2011, the Zambia Police Alert arrested a journalist working for Radio Date: February 18, 2011 Lyambai, a private station in the Western Person/ institution: Zambia Daily Province based on allegations that he Mail had aired a programme on 14 January Violation/ issue: Threatened 2011, which incited violence. On 15 February 2011, opposition Patriotic January 20, 2011: On 19 January 2011 Front leader, Michael Sata stormed the Police in western province recorded a Zambia Daily Mail editorial meeting statement from Radio Lyambai Station and threatened editors over a story the Manager Mukeya Liwena over the alleged newspaper published about him. broadcast of seditious statements by his station concerning a meeting that the Communiqué Police had cancelled. Date: March 9, 2011 February 9, 2011: On 3 February 2011, Person/ institution: Independent Minister of Information and Broadcasting Broadcasting Authority Services (MIBS) Lieutenant General Violation/ issue: Victory Ronnie Shikapwasha said government The long awaited establishment of the would not re-open Radio Lymabai in Independent Broadcasting Authority, Mongu until investigations into its (IBA), will be operational by the end of alleged involvement in the broadcast the second quarter of 2011, government of seditious materials regarding the has said. IBA has been under discussion Barotseland controversy were completed. for a long time but government has been dragging its feet on the implementation Communiqué of the Act. Date: February 9, 2011 Person/ institution: Digital Migration Alert Chairperson Luwani Soko Date: April 14, 2011 Violation/ issue: Other Person/ institution: Mazabuka On 4 February 2011, taskforce on Digital Community Radio Station Migration Chairperson Luwani Soko Violation/ issue: Legislated called on government to devise an On March 3 2011, a case in which alternative funding strategy for the Mazabuka Community Radio Station taskforce to commence operations. In has been sued for libel as a third his submission to the Committee on defendant by Mazabuka Municipal Information and Broadcasting of the Council Deputy Director for Finance National Assembly, Soko stated that Evans Mushiba, failed to take place. The the taskforce was not allocated money radio station was sued alongside two

So This is Democracy • 2011 165 Zambia

Zambia National Marketers’ Association Alert (ZANAMA) officials Kenani Matanji and Date: April 20, 2011 Japi Siangandu, who had issued a press Person/ institution: The Post statement alleging that Mushiba had Violation/ issue: Censored issued defamatory remarks against the Forum for Leadership Search (FLS), a Zambian President Mr. Rupiah Banda. pro-government, non-governental organisation (NGO) in Zambia has Alert recently called for Government’s Date: April 15, 2011 immediate withdrawal of advertisement Person/ institution: Zambia National and completely ban the purchase by Broadcasting Corporation government ministries and departments Violation/ issue: Beaten of Zambia’s only privately owned daily On March 19 and 20, 2011, supporters newspaper, The Post. from one of Zambia’s main opposition political parties, Patriotic Front (PF), Communiqué on two separate occasions harassed Date: April 20, 2011 and injured reporters working for the Person/ institution: UNESCO national television broadcaster, Zambia Violation/ issue: Other National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda said (ZNBC) when they went to cover the freedom of expression and a free media party’s provincial Conference and public were crucial to the development of rally held at Lusaka’s Garden Motel and positive governance and democratic in Mandevu residential area in Lusaka practices in the country. President respectively. Banda said this when United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Alert Organization (UNESCO) Director General Date: April 20, 2011 Irina Bokova paid a courtesy call on him Person/ institution: Radio Stations at State House. Violation/ issue: Threatened Government has warned that it will Alert revoke operating licenses of all radio Date: June 21, 2011 stations airing political campaign songs Person/ institution: Reporters before the date for this year’s tripartite Violation/ issue: Banned elections is announced the Daily Mail On 4 June, 2011, Journalists from reports. However, the opposition several media institutions were thrown Patriotic Front (PF) party has hit back by out of Chingola’s Nchanga Stadium a saying that the electoral code of conduct few minutes before the kick-off of the does not prohibit the media from airing 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier political campaign songs before the between Zambia and Mozambique, the elections. Sunday Mail reported. These reporters were allegedly thrown out for not being

166 So This is Democracy • 2011 in good standing with the Football in which he is charged with contempt of Association of Zambia (FAZ). court, The Times reported on the 26 July 2011. Communiqué Date: June 21, 2011 Alert Person/ institution: The Post Date: September 22, 2011 Violation/ issue: Other Person/ institution: Zambia Daily On the 4th June, 2011, The Swedish Mail Ambassador to Zambia, Marie Anderson Violation/ issue: Assaulted De Frutos, and commended Zambia’s On 21 September, 2011, the Zambia Daily only privately owned daily newspaper, Mail reported that a horde of political The Post, for its in-depth reporting on supporters, had on 20th September 2011 various issues in the country. assaulted a Zambia Daily Mail news crew covering the elections in Kanyama Alert constituency. The cadres accused Date: June 22, 2011 reporters Chimwemwe Mwale, Elizabeth Person/ institution: International Sakala, Tryness Mbale and driver Gift Press Institute Nyakasambale of carrying election Violation/ issue: Legislation materials. The International Press Institute (IPI) recently said it was disappointed with Communiqué the Zambian government’s delay in Date: October 12, 2011 honouring its promise to parliament that Person/ institution: Given Lubinda it would allow the media in the country Violation/ issue: Legislation to regulate itself. IPI Director Alison On 30th September, The Post newspaper McKenzie observed that the government reported that the new Zambian was faster at threatening the media than Information Minister Given Lubinda says honouring their promises and granting he will prioritize media liberalization and the industry what it best needed for enactment of the Freedom of Information them. Bill. In an interview, Lubinda said that he would like a free media that would Alert always hold authorities accountable. Date: July 28, 2011 Person/ institution: Fred M’membe Communiqué Violation/ institution: Sentenced Date: November 8, 2011 Lusaka High Court Judge Charles Person/ institution: Government- Kajimanga has thrown out an application owned media organizations by The Post newspaper managing editor Violation/ issue: Other Fred M’membe that he be allowed to Media bodies have welcomed the cross-examine President Rupiah Banda’s Government’s intention to offload 35 lawyer, Christopher Mundia in a matter per cent shares in government-owned

So This is Democracy • 2011 167 Zambia

media organizations, says a report by MMD regime, Austin Liato, appeared Times of Zambia. before the magistrate’s court in The Media Institute for Southern Africa Lusaka to plea in the case of the 24th (MISA), Zambia Union of journalists (ZUJ) November, 2011 discovery of 2.1 Billion and the Press Association of Zambia Kwacha buried in a fortified building on (PAZA) said the move was a step towards his property. The case being newsworthy improving the performance of public and of public interest, the media were media. at the courthouse to cover proceedings. However, it wasn’t long before members Communiqué of Liato’s support camp started hurling Date: November 24, 2011 verbal abuse towards journalists. The Person/ institution: Zambian tension soon turned into a physical Government scuffle as Liato’s supporters descended Violation/ issue: Legislation on the journalists and started beating The Zambian government announced them up. its commitment, not only to enact the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill but Communiqué also to implement it. This was said during Date: December 5, 2011 a conference on Freedom of Information Person/ institution: Media which was organized by World Bank. Violation/ issue: Other The Zambia Daily Mail released a report Communiqué on the 20th September 2011 post Date: November 24, 2011 election media coverage. The report Person/ institution: Minister of indicated that there is an improvement Information, Broadcasting and in the manner in which media in the Tourism, Given Lubinda country is covering various topical issues. Violation/ issue: Other Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism, Given Lubinda has asked individuals and organizations with legal suits against any public media institutions to emulate the Law Association of Zambia and withdraw their cases.

Alert Date: December 2, 2011 Person/ institution: Journalists Violation/ issue: Assaulted On 1st December, 2011, former Minister of Labour and Social Security in the

168 So This is Democracy • 2011 National By Kholwani Nyathi Overview Assistant Editor, News Day Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) 2011

So This is Democracy • 2011 169 Zimbabwe

Growth and Restrictions creasingly using criminal defamation laws in an effort to frustrate investiga- The year 2011 opened on a promis- tive journalism. This is despite the fact ing notefor the media in Zimbabwe- that there have not been any success- with a number of newspapers entering ful prosecutions of journalists under the the publishing industry. Significant also Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) in this area was the return of popular Act, the one law that is being used by newspaper,The Daily News and its sister public officials in a lot of instances to paper, The Daily News on Sunday, both of target journalists. which last published in 2003, when the The year 2011 also saw a flurry of government of Zimbabwe forced both ti- lawsuits being filed against independ- tles to shut down after failing to comply ent newspapers mostly by officials from with stringent registrations requirements President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF par- in terms of the infamous Access to In- ty. Observers saw this as a new tactic to formation and Protection of Privacy Act silence critical journalists by seeking to (AIPPA). cripple their newspapers financially via Other newspapers such as The Mail the payment of legal fees and also diver- and The Patriot were also introduced sion of resources that would have been to the market, ushering in a plurality of otherwise used to conduct journalistic voices in the print media sector. Unfortu- work. nately, The Mail did not last long and has One of the lawsuits was filed by since suspended operations. However, in- the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, who filed dications are that the newspaper’s own- a US$15 million lawsuit against The ers are trying to resuscitate it. Standard newspaper after it published a On the legal front, efforts to have story quoting United States of America repressive media laws such as AIPPA diplomatic cables released by a whistle- and the Public Order and Security Act blowing website WikiLeaks and alleging (POSA) repealed, or at least reformed, her involvement in illegal diamond sales. are yet to bear fruit. These laws hang The diamonds in question were from the ominously over the media and, as recent Marange diamond fields where various trends will show, there are strong fears human rights groups have said vast hu- that authorities may use these statutes man rights abuses exist. Reserve Bank of against media houses and journalists to Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono also cow them into silence, especially ahead sued the paper for US$12,5 million over of what is likely to be an election year the same story. in 2012. Zimbabwe has, for the past two While it is highly unlikely that these years, been in an election mode and it is politicians will be awarded such amounts well-documented that elections in Zim- in damages in the event that their cases babwe are usually marked by increased are successful, the impact on the af- and severe crackdowns on journalists. fected newspapers is very severe as they 2011 saw government officials in- have to spend heavily on legal fees.

170 So This is Democracy • 2011 That notwithstanding, polarity in the media are in danger of suffering trust media continues to haunt journalism in and credibility losses as a result of poorly Zimbabwe. Oftentimes, the media have- servicing their audiences with half- failed to stand in unison, speaking with a baked stories and information. united voice against repeated violations Despite efforts by organisations such on journalists. The government-aligned as MISA-Zimbabwe to have the govern- media often pays a blind eye to trans- ment repeal such laws as AIPPA, authori- gressions perpetrated by the govern- ties remain obstinate and instead accuse ment on their fellow scribes from the civil society organisations such as MISA private media. of serving foreign interests bent on ef- The inclusive government, formed in fecting regime change, the same charges 2009, also did little or nothing in 2011 to levelled against opposition political par- fulfil its pledge of replacing the draconi- ties. an AIPPA legislation and also to institute It is, however, important that MISA key reforms that would be beneficial to continues to lobby the government on Zimbabweans. In its 2010 workplan, the the importance of a free media. The government had proposed to introduce organisation should also try to access two Bills to replace AIPPA. The Freedom more journalists from those stables such of Information Bill and the Media Prac- as the state-owned Zimbabwe News- titioners Bill were supposed to cater to papers (ZimPapers) and the Zimbabwe concerns on the regulation of journalists Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) in its ranks. in line with regional best practices. Un- This, perhaps, will send a clear message fortunately, there was no movement in to authorities that journalists are united 2011 towards the realisation of this goal. behind a common cause, that of the emergency of a free media environment. Access to information State of print media Access to information remains one of the major stumbling blocks for the The print media industry is, arguably, media, as the government continues to at its most vibrant since the country’s frustrate the free flow of information. independence 31 years ago. The com- Despite the presence of the inappropri- ing in of The Daily News and the Daily ately-named, Access to Information and News on Sunday and The Mail(although Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), gov- this publication later folded) to add onto ernment officials continuously frustrate the existing private media already on the any efforts to access of otherwise public market has meant that there is more di- information. versity of views. This has led to the growth of specu- Indications are that there will be lative stories in the media, most of which more newspapers on the market in 2012 are inaccurate and badly serve the audi- and this is a welcome development as it ence. The challenge with this is that the is expected to add more quality to the

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print media. However, the private me- was being prepared, BAZ had invited ap- dia are continuously under siege, with plications for an additional 14 local FM officials linked to the government con- licences. The move did little to atone for tinuously seeking or causing the arrest of the disappointment arising from the way their journalists. the two commercial licenses were han- The last half of the year saw an esca- dled. lation of the arrests, with reporters from Also, prospective broadcasters are The Standard and The Daily News being worried that the licence fees are exorbi- detained by the police. Officials from the tant. BAZ is demanding US$50,0000 in Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe license fees in addition to an application were also arrested and charged with fee of US$2,500, which is beyond the holding unsanctioned meetings. reach of many potential broadcasters. The composition of BAZ also remains State of broadcast media a major source of conflict in Zimbabwe’s inclusive government with Prime Minis- Practitioners had reason to celebrate ter Morgan Tsvangirai insisting that the after the Broadcasting Authority of Zim- current members represent Zanu PF’s in- babwe (BAZ) called for applications for terests and therefore their decisions are two commercial radio licences. However, not bearing. this excitement was shortlived after the The Finance ministry has allocated licences were granted to Zimpapers and money towards the digitalisation of AB Communications, entities both linked ZBC although it is highly unlikely that to Zanu PF, a political party well-known the broadcaster will meet the regional for its media repression agenda. digitalisation deadline set by both SADC Zimpapers already owns The Herald, (2013) and the International Telecom- Chronicle,The Sunday Mail and Sunday munications Union (2015). The digitali- News, H-Metro, B-Metro and Manica sation programme was allocated US$5 Post newspapers, while AB Communica- million, a third of what the whole project tions is run by Supa Mandiwanzira, who needs meaning the project will continue reportedly has close links with Zanu PF. to lag behind. Currently, the state broad- According to a report in The Manica caster runs on obsolete equipment and Post, Mandiwanzira was in October 2011 a report made to parliament recently re- introduced to party supporters by its vealed the extent of the decay at ZBC. Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa as having set his eyes on the ICT and Telecommunications Nyanga South constituency on a Zanu PF ticket in the next elections. There has been an increase in the use This means that Zanu PF will con- of new technologies but cost continues tinue its stranglehold on the broadcast to be a hindering factor. Most media media, with private players being shut organisations have running websites, al- out effectively. At the time this report though some are not regularly updated.

172 So This is Democracy • 2011 Information Communication Tech- Zimbabwe continue to sprout but the ma- nologies (ICTs) continue to provide op- jor challenge has been a distinct lack of portunities for most media houses and professionalism on their part, publishing it is hoped that this sector will continue stories that cannot be verified and also to grow. According to a United Nations not excercising strong editorial judge- Conference on Trade and Development ment. This has left many media practi- (UNCTAD) Information Economy report tioners that not only will this dent the im- for 2011, 59 in every 100 people in Zim- age of the profession but it will also give babwe had mobile phones. But this figure those seeking to clamp down on media still remained below the average of the freedom the ammunition to do so. global mobile penetration rate estimated at 79 subscriptions per 100 people. Way forward in 2012

New Media and Social Media With Zimbabwe poised to hold its next elections in 2012 or 2013, SADC and As mentioned above the cost of ac- the African Union (AU), both guarantors cessing ICT remains a major hindrance. of the current inclusive arrangement, Most journalists use social networking should insist on full the implementation sites like Facebook but most are yet to of the envisaged media reforms so as to find their feet on Twitter. Still, very few ensure that such elections are held in run their own blogs and use video-shar- terms of the regional guidelines on the ing sites like YouTube as a means to get conduct of democratic elections. messages across. Linked to this is the urgent need to There is scope for growth in these revisit the status of BAZ and ensure that sectors and it is hoped that journalists it is constituted procedurally and in ac- may use new media to spread informa- cordance with the law. A new and law- tion in a country where the media is con- fully constituted BAZ should be put in strained by harsh media laws and gov- place as a matter of urgency and tasked ernment actions. Faced with a repressive with re-opening or calling for new ap- media environment, Zimbabwean jour- plications for national commercial radio nalists especially those exiled at the station licenses as the ones issued in No- height of probably the worst crackdown vember are undoubtedly invalid. after the introduction of AIPPA have remained very active in cyberspace. But with intentions to govern cyberspace – or at least restrict access – being made clear by the government of Zimbabwe, use of the Internet to circumvent censorship or restrict freedom of expression may not be as easy. A host of news websites focusing on

So This is Democracy • 2011 173 Zimbabwe Conclusion PORTUGUESE As Zimbabwe seeks a new constitution, an opportunity is presented for VERSION redress of the deficiencies and short- comings of the currentconstitution, Introdução especially on matters regarding media freedom, freedom of expression and the O ano de 2011 abriu uma nota prom- right to access to information. issora para a imprensa em Zimbabue com After all, the benchmarks are alread- vários jornais entrando na indústria de ystated in very important instruments publicação. Significante também nesta suchas the African Charter on Human área foi o retorno do jornal popular, The and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), Windhoek Daily News e seu papel irmã, The Daily Declaration, Banjul Declaration on Prin- News on Sunday, ambos publicados pela ciples of Freedom of Expression in Africa ultima vez em 2003, quando o governo and the African Charter on Broadcasting de Zimbábue forçou ambos a fechar por (ACB). não obedecerem as exigências estritas de registo em termos da Acta sobre o Acesso Infame a Informação e Proteção da Privacidade (AIPPA). Outros jornais como The Mail e The Patriot também foram introduzidos no mercado prenunciando na pluralidade de vozes no sector da midia impressa. Infe- lizmente, The Mail não durou por muito tempo e suspendeu as operacoes. Toda- via, há indicações de que os proprietários do jornal estão tentando ressuscita-lo. No ponto de vista legal, esforços para se ter leis de mídia repressivas como AIPPA e a “Acta da Ordem Publica e Se- gurança” Public Order and Security Act (POSA) revogadas, ou pelo menos refor- madas, ainda vão produzir frutos. Estas leis pairam ominosamente sobre a mídia e, como tendências recentes mostrarão, há forte medo que as autoridades possam usar estes estatutos contra os órgãos de imprensa e jornalistas para intimida-los em silêncio, especialmente diante do que provavelmente virá a ser

174 So This is Democracy • 2011 um ano de eleiçoes em 2012. Zimbábue direitos humanos. O governador do Re- tem estado durante os últimos dois anos, serve Bank of Zimbabwe Gideon Gono em um modo de eleição e é bem-doc- também processou o jornal por US$12,5 umentado que as eleiçoes em Zimbábue milhoes sobre a mesma história. são normalmente marcadas por aumen- Enquanto é altamente improvável to e severas sançoes sobre os jornalistas. que estes políticos sejam premiados com 2011 viu funcionários do governo tais quantias por danos no caso dos pro- crescentemente usando leis criminais cessos tiverem êxito, o impacto nos jor- de difamação num esforço para frustrar nais afectados é muito severo como eles o jornalismo investigativo. Isto apesar têm que gastar pesadamente em quotas do facto de que não houve qualquer legais. opressão frutíra de jornalistas sobre a Lei Não opondo portanto, a polaridade Criminal, Acta da (Codificação e Refor- na mídia continua assombrando o jor- ma), a unica lei que está sendo usada por nalismo em Zimbábue. Muitas vezes, funcionários públicos em muitos exemp- a mídia falhou em manter-se unisona, los focalizando os jornalistas. falando com uma voz unida contra vio- O ano de 2011 também viu uma lações repetidas em jornalistas. A mídia lufada de processos sendo arquivados associada ao governo por vezes pagam principalmente contra jornais independ- freqüentemente com um olho cego as entes por funcionários do partido do transgressões perpetradas pelo governo Presidente Robert Mugabe, Zanu PF. Os sobre os seus companheiros escriturários observadores viram isto como uma nova da mídia privada. táctica de silenciar os jornalistas críticos O governo inclusivo, formado em procurando mutilar os seus jornais fi- 2009, também fez pouco ou nada em nanceiramente pelo pagamento de taxas 2011 para cumprir com seu apelo de legais e também desvio de recursos que substituir a legislação draconiana de teriam sido usados para condução de AIPPA e também instituir reformas trabalhos jornalísticos. fundamentais que seriam benéficas Um dos processos foi arquivado pela para os Zimbabueanos. Em seu plano Primeira Dama, Grace Mugabe que ar- de trabalho em 2010, o governo tinha quivou um processo de US$15 milhões proposto introduzir dois projectos de lei contra o jornal The Standard depois para substituir o AIPPA. O da Liberdade deste ter publicado uma história citando de Informação e o dos agentes da Mídia os laços diplomáticos dos Estados Uni- que supostamente supririam as preocu- dos de América divulgados pelo assobio pações no regulamento de jornalistas em da website WikiLeaks e alegando o en- conformidade com as melhores práticas volvimento dela em vendas ilegais de di- regionais. Infelizmente, não houve nen- amantes. Os diamantes em questão eram hum movimento em 2011 para o alcance do campo de diamantes de Marange deste objectivo. onde vários grupos de direitos humanos disseram que existem vários abusos de

So This is Democracy • 2011 175 Zimbabwe

Acesso a informação jornalistas estão unidos atrás de uma causa comum, o da emergência de um O acesso a informação permanece ambiente de imprensa livre. sendo a principal pedra de tropeços para a mídia, pois o governo continua Estado dos meios de frustrando o fluxo livre de informação. comunicação impressos Apesar da presença das impropriamente nomeadas Actas de Acesso a Informação A indústria da mídia de impressão e Protecção da Privacidade (AIPPA), os esta, sustentavelmente, no seu mais vi- funcionários do governo continuamente brante desde a independência do país 31 frustram qualquer esforço sobre o acesso anos atrás. A vinda do The Daily News a informação pública contrária. e Daily News on Sunday e o The Mail Isto conduziu ao crescimento de (embora mais tasrde essa publicação histórias especulativas na mídia, muitas fechou) a somar sobre as mídia privadas das quais são incorrectas e mal servem existentes no mercado significou que há a audiência. O desafio com isto é que a mais diversidade de visões. mídia estão em perigo de sofrerem per- Indicações mostram que haverá mais das de confiança e credibilidade como jornais no mercado em 2012 e este é um resultado de pobremente servirem a sua desenvolvimento bem-vindo como é es- audiência com histórias e informações perado que acrescente mais qualidade à imaturas. mídia de impressão. Porém, a imprensa Apesar do esforço das organizaçoes privadas esta continuamente sitiada por como MISA-Zimbabwe para a revogação funcionários ligados ao governo pro- pelo governo de tais leis como AIPPA, curando ou causando a apreensão dos as autoridades permanecem obstinadas seus jornalistas. e em vez disso acusam as organizaçoes A última metade do ano viu uma es- da sociedade civil como MISA de servir calação de apreensões, com repórteres interesses estrangeiros inclinadas em do The Standard e a Daily News sendo afectar a mudança de regime, o mesmo detidos pela polícia. Os funcionários da sucedeu contra os partidos políticos da Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe oposição . também foram presos e debitados por Porém, é importante que a MISA albergar reuniões não aprovadas. continue intrigando o governo na im- portância de uma imprensa livre. A or- Estado da midia de ganização deve também tentar aces- radiodifusão sar mais jornalistas daqueles estábulos como os Jornais nacionais de Zimbábue Os agentes tiveram razão para cel- pertencentes ao estado (ZimPapers) e a ebrar depois da Autoridade de Ra- Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) diodifusão de Zimbábue (BAZ) pedir nos seus niveis. Isto, talvez, enviará uma aplicações para duas licenças de rádio mensagem clara as autoridades que os comercial. Porém, esta excitação durou

176 So This is Democracy • 2011 pouco depois que as licenças foram A composição da BAZ também per- concedidas a Zimpapers e AB Comuni- manece uma fonte principal de conflito cations, entidades ambas ligadas a Zanu no governo inclusivo de Zimbábue com o PF, um partido político famoso pela sua Primeiro ministro Morgan Tsvangirai que agenda de repressão da mídia. insiste que os membros actuais represen- Zimpapers já possui os jornais The tam os interesses da Zanu PF e então as Herald, Chronicle,The Sunday Mail e suas decisões não fazem diferença. Sunday News, H-Metro, B-Metro e Man- O ministério das Finanças alocou din- ica Post, enquanto que a AB Communi- heiro para a digitalização da ZBC embora cations é dirigida pela Supa Mandiwan- é altamente improvável que este consiga zira que segundo notícias tem ligações cumprir com o prazo regional da digitali- íntimas com Zanu PF. zação fixado por ambos a SADC (2013) De acordo com um relatório no The e a União Internacional das Telecomu- Manica Post, Mandiwanzira foi em Ou- nicações (2015). O programa de digitali- tubro de 2011 apresentado ao simpa- zação foi orçamentado em US$5 milhoes, tizantes do partido pelo seu Secretário um terço do que o projecto por completo para Administração Didymus Mutasa precisa, significando que o projecto contendo fixado os olhos no distrito de tinuará ficando para trás. Actualmente, Nyanga South o bilhete da Zanu PFnas a radiodifusão estatal trabalha com eq- próximas eleições. uipamento obsoleto e um relatório feito Isto significa que a Zanu PF con- recentemente para o parlamento revelou tinuará com sua influencia repressora na a extensão da decadência na ZBC. mídia de radiodifusão, com agentes privados sendo encerrados efectivamente. ICT e Telecomunicaçoes que estão fechado fora effectively. Na altura que este relatório estava sendo Houve um aumento no uso denovas preparado, a BAZ tinha convidado apli- tecnologias mas custo continua sendo cações para 14 licencas adicionais lo- um factor de impedimento. A maioria cais. O movimento fez muito pouco para dos organismos de imprensa têm Web- harmonizar as decepçoes resultantes do sites operacionais, embora alguns não modo como as duas licenças comerciais são actualizados regularmente. foram manuseadas. As Tecnologias de Comunicação e Também, os futuros radiodifusores informação (TCIs) continuam a oferecer estão preocupados com as taxas exorbi- oportunidades para a maioria dos organ- tantes das licenças. A BAZ está a exigir ismos da mídia e espera-se que este sec- US$50,0000 em taxas de licença além de tor continuará a crescer. De acordo com uma taxa de aplicação de US$2,500 que a Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre está além do alcance de muitos poten- Comércio e Desenvolvimento (UNCTAD) ciais radiodifusores. relatório de Informação Econômica para 2011, 59 entre 100 pessoas em Zimbábue tiveram telefones móveis. Mas esta fig-

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ura ainda permaneceu abaixo da média cercitam um forte julgamento editorial. do indice global de penetração calculada Isto deixou muitos agentes da imprensa em 79 subscrições por 100 pessoas. a reflectir que isto para além de reduzir a imagem da profissão também dará mais Novos Meios de Comunicação muniçoes aqueles que tentam pôr abaixo e Redes Sociais a liberdade de imprensa de assim o faz- erem. Como mencionado acima, o custo de acesso as TCI continuam um obstáculo Caminho adiante em 2012 principal. A maioria dos jornalistas usam sites de redes sociais como Facebook A SADC e a União africana (AU), am- mas a maioria ainda poêm os seus pés bos fiadores do arranjo inclusivo actual, no Twitter. Ainda, são muito poucos os deveriam insistir na plena implemen- que possuem blogs próprios e usam sites tação das reformas de imprensa para de compartilhamento de vídeos como assegurar que tais eleições sejam reali- YouTube como meios para a troca de zadas segundo os termos das directrizes mensagens. regionais sobre a conduta de eleições Há perspectiva de crescimento nestes democráticas. sectores e espera-se que os jornalistas Junta-se a isto a necessidade urgente possam usar novos meios de expansão de revisitar o estado da BAZ e assegu- da informação num país onde a impren- rar que é constituído conforme os pro- sa é constrangida por leis de imprensa cedimentos da lei. Um novo BAZ e legal- severas e acçoes do governo. Confron- mente constituido e em funcionamento tado com um ambiente repressivo da deve ser um assunto de urgência e in- mídia, os jornalistas Zimbabueanos espe- cumbida de re-abrir ou pedir aplicações cialmente aqueles exilados com sançoes novas para licenças de estaçoes de rádios provavelmente da pior plenitude depois comerciais nacionais já que as emitidas da introdução da AIPPA continuaram ac- em Novembro são indubitavelmente in- tivos nos espaços cibernéticos. Mas com válidas. intenções para os espaços cibernéticos do governo - ou pelo menos restringir o acesso - tendo-se tornado claro pelo governo de Zimbábue, o uso da Internet para evitar censura ou restringir a liberdade de expressão pode não ser tão fácil. Um Website anfitrião de notícias que focaliza o Zimbabue continua a brotar mas o desafio principal tem sido uma falta distinta de profissionalismo de sua parte, publicando histórias que não podem ser verificadas e também não ex-

178 So This is Democracy • 2011 Conclusão Communiqué Date: January 12, 2011 Como o Zimbábue está em busca de Person/ institution: MISA-Zimbabwe uma nova constituição, uma oportuni- Violation/ issue: Other dade é apresentada para a emenda das MISA-Zimbabwe notes the Media, Infor- deficiências e falhas da actual constitu- mation and Publicity Minister Webster ição, especialmente em assuntos rela- Shamu’s response to the increase in the tivos a liberdade de imprensa, liberdade media registration and accreditation fees de expressão e o direito de acesso a in- in The Herald of 7 January 2011. Minister formação. Shamu stated that his ministry’s relation- Em suma, os pontos de referência ja ship with the Zimbabwe Media Commis- estão mencionadoas dentro de instru- sion (ZMC) is ‘strictly administrative’ and mentos muito importantes tais como the statutory media regulatory board a Carta Africana sobre os Direitos Hu- “only turns to the Minister and the Min- manos e do Povo (ACHPR), Declaração de istry for legal administrative instruments Windhoek, Declaração de Banjul sobre that give full effect to its decisions”. Princípios de Liberdade de Expressão na África e a Carta Africana sobre Radiodi- Alert fusão (ACB). Date: January 18, 2011 Person/ institution: The Mirror Violation/ issue: Banned Soldiers from 42 lnfantry Battalion in Gutu on Friday 14 January, 2011 allegedly banned vendors from selling Masvingo province weekly independent newspaper, The Mirror, after it published a story alleging that army personnel had beaten up people at Mupandawana growth point on Christmas Eve.

Communiqué Date: February 1, 2011 Person/ institution: MISA- Zimbabwe Violation/ issue: Other MISA-Zimbabwe is concerned about the reports that do not only continue to add confusion on the country’s broadcasting regulatory body but also appear to be aimed at legitimising the body which has been deemed to have been illegally constituted by the information ministry in 2009.

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Alert Communiqué Date: February 15, 2011 Date: February 22, 2011 Person/ institution: Alpha Media Person/ institution: Grace Mutandwa Holdings and South African Violation/ issue: Other publications MISA-Zimbabwe on 18 February 2011 Violation/ issue: Assaulted launched the second phase of its Jour- Vendors selling Alpha Media Holdings nalist- in- Residence programme with (AMH) independent newspapers which veteran journalist Grace Mutandwa de- include Newsday and other leading livering a journalism lecture at the Na- South African publications are report- tional University of Science and Tech- edly being harassed by suspected Zanu nology’s Department of Journalism and PF supporters and state agents. Media studies in Bulawayo. March 3, 2011: Copies of the privately owned daily Newsday were reportedly Alert torn in Harare on 2 March 2011 by sus- Date: February 23, 2011 pected Zanu PF youths on their way to Person/ institution: Golden an anti-sanctions campaign launched by Maunganidze, The Masvingo Mirror President Robert Mugabe. Violation/ issue: Detained April 15, 201: Vendors in Harare’s high Golden Maunganidze an editor with density suburb of Mbare were on March the privately owned The Masvingo Mir- 12, 2011 reportedly threatened with ror was on 23 February 2011 arrested in eviction from their market stalls by sus- the southern town of Masvingo on alle- pected Zanu PF youths if and when they gations of criminally defaming a senior are seen reading copies of the private Zanu PF politician. daily newspaper, NewsDay. March 1, 2011: Golden Maunganidze, the editor of the privately owned weekly, The Alert Masvingo Mirror, accused of defaming Date: February 21, 2011 ZANU PF Masvingo provincial chairman Person/ institution: Sydney Saize Lovemore Matuke, was on 24 February Violation/ issue: Detained 2011 freed by the courts after the state Sydney Saize a freelance journalist based declined to prosecute. in Mutare was on 21 February 2011 ar- November 30, 2011: The defamation case rested while taking pictures of three in which The Masvingo Mirror is be- armed robbers who allegedly tried to ing sued for US$100 000 by ZANU PF’s escape from lawful custody at Mutare Bikita District Co-ordinating Committee Magistrates Court. member retired Colonel Claudius Ma- February 22, 2011: Sydney Saize a free- kova commenced in the High Court on lance journalist based in Mutare was on 29 November 2011. 21 February 2011 released from police December 1, 2011: Harare High Court custody after paying a fine of US$10 judge Justice Susan Mavhangira on 30 dollars for being a criminal nuisance. November 2011 postponed judgment

180 So This is Democracy • 2011 sine die in the defamation case in which April 26, 2011: Ignatius Zuze, a male stu- retired Colonel Claudius William Makova dent nurse at Harare Hospital who as- is claiming US $ 100 000 from the The saulted a six- month pregnant journalist, Masvingo Mirror. Paidamoyo Chipunza, who is employed by The Herald was on 20 April 2011 fined Alert US$100 by Mbare magistrate Brighton Date: February 24, 2011 Pabwe. Person/ institution: Nqobani Ndlovu and Nevanji Madanhire Communiqué Violation/ issue: Sentenced Date: March 16, 2011 Nqobani Ndlovu and Nevanji Madan- Person/ institution: Journalists hire journalists with the privately owned Violation/ issue: Other Standard weekly newspaper on 23 Feb- Journalists should be involved when ruary 2011 applied for their case to be laws that govern their operations are referred to the Supreme Court challeng- crafted, says National Healing, Recon- ing the constitutionality of the law they ciliation and Integration Minister Moses are being charged with. March 1, 2011: Mzila-Ndlovu. Addressing journalists at Harare magistrate Don Ndirowei on 28 Gwanda Press Club on March 12, 2011, February 2011 removed from remand Mzila-Ndlovu said it was disheartening and granted an application for referral that journalists’ views were not consid- to the Supreme Court by Standard jour- ered each time government introduced nalists Nevanji Madanhire and Nqobani new media legislation. Ndlovu after the State failed to oppose the application. Communiqué Date: March 17, 2011 Alert Person/ institution: Vikazi Mavhudzi Date: March 4, 2011 Violation/ issue: Detained Person/ institution: Paidamowo On March 16, 2011, Vikazi Mavhudzi who Chipunza, The Herald, was arrested in Bulawayo for expressing Violation/ issue: Assaulted his approval through a facebook post- A six-months pregnant journalist with ing of citizens’ uprisings in Egypt, was the state controlled national daily, The denied bail when he appeared before a Herald, Paidamowo Chipunza, was on 2 Bulawayo magistrate. March 2011 assaulted while on duty by an March 22, 2011: On March 17, 2011, Zim- assailant who boasted being related to a babwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) director with the Central Intelligence Or- filed an appeal with the High Court chal- ganisation (CIO).Chipunza, a senior health lenging a Bulawayo magistrate’s denial reporter, was punched in the stomach of bail to Vikas Mavhudzi who is facing and slapped by Ignatius Zuze while she charges of attempting to overthrow the was following up on the water problems government through comments posted at Harare Central Hospital. on Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s

So This is Democracy • 2011 181 Zimbabwe

facebook wall. Communiqué September 22, 2011: Vikas Mavhudzi was Date: March 22, 2011 on 20 September 2011 freed of charges Person/ institution: Public and of allegedly attempting to overthrow Independent media a constitutionally elected government Violation/ issue: Other through facebook postings. Jamela suc- Female media practitioners drawn from cessfully argued that there was no evi- the public and independent media, sen- dence warranting the matter to go for ior and retired female media practition- trial since the police conceded that they ers, media students and gender media had failed to access the message which activists gathered in Harare on Friday, 18 formed the basis of the preferred charge. March 2011; to discuss media gender is- The magistrate noted that it was ap- sues. propriate to have the accused removed from remand and the charges withdrawn Communiqué if the evidence forming the basis of the Date: April 15, 2011 alleged criminal offence could not be Person/ institution: MISA-Zimbabwe furnished. Violation/ issue: Other On March 31, 2011, the Media Institute Alert of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Date: March 22, 2011 officially launched the memoirs of vet- Person/ institution: Vincent Kahiya, eran Zimbabwean journalist Bill Saidi, as Constantine Chimakure captured in his publication, A Sort of Life Violation/ issue: Victory in Journalism, at a launch ceremony in On March 18, 2011, Alpha Media Hold- Harare attended by luminaries of Zimba- ings (AMH) editor-in Chief Vincent Ka- bwean journalism. hiya and the editor of The Zimbabwe In- dependent Constantine Chimakure were Communiqué removed from remand by Harare Magis- Date: April 15, 2011 trate Lazarus Murendo. Person/ institution: Community The two were arrested on May 11, 2009, Radio Harare after publishing a story headlined CIO, Violation/ issue: Other Police role in Activist’ abduction revealed Community Radio Harare (CORAH) on naming security agents that were alleg- April 4, 2011 filed an application with edly involved in the abduction of civic the High Court seeking a relief to have and political activists in the Zimbabwe its broadcasting license application con- Independent edition of 8-14 May 2009. sidered by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) as well as an order compelling the regulatory board to call for broadcasting license applications.

182 So This is Democracy • 2011 Communiqué Alert Date: April 26, 2011 Date: May 19, 2011 Person/ institution: SADC-NGO Person/ institution: Robyn Currow, Violation/ issue: Other Shevan Rayson, CNN A representative of SADC non- Violation/ issue: Detained governmental organizations and CNN journalist Robyn Currow and her human rights defenders meeting in cameraperson Shevan Rayson were de- The Gambia has urged the Forum tained in Harare on 18 May 2011 after on the Participation of NGOs in the police stopped them from filming in the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Zimbabwean capital.The CNN crew had Commission on Human and People’s all the relevant accreditation documents Rights (ACHPR) to adopt resolutions issued by the statutory Zimbabwe Media on Zimbabwe and Swaziland calling Commission in terms of the Access to In- for an end to impunity and the culture formation and Protection of Privacy Act of human rights violations in the two (AIPPA). countries. April 29, 2011: The Forum on the Par- Alert ticipation of NGO’s in the 49th Ordinary Date: June 17, 2011 Session of the African Commission on Person/ institution: The Mirror Human and People’s Rights (AHPR) on Violation/ issue: Other 27 April 2011 adopted recommendations Unknown criminals broke into the of- to deal with violations of media freedom fices of The Mirror weekly newspaper in and freedom of expression in Africa. Masvingo on the night of 15 June 2011 May 3, 2011: The African Commission where they tampered with computers on Human and Peoples Rights’ (ACHPR) and laptops before stealing a memory intervention mechanisms should be ex- card from an editorial camera. panded for it to effectively deal and respond to human rights issues on the Communiqué continent. Date: July 4, 2011 Person/ institution: Joseph Alert Mandizvidza Date: April 27, 2011 Violation/ issue: Other Person/ institution: Newsday MISA-Zimbabwe mourns the death of its Violation/ issue: Other member and reporter with the Zimba- Unknown criminals broke into the offices bwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Jo- of Independent newspaper, Newsday in seph Mandizvidza. Joseph died tragically Harare on 25 April 2011 and stole the ed- in a car accident on Saturday 2 July, 2011 itor’s laptop, hard drives and other com- in Norton whilst travelling from Gweru ponents from computers used by senior to attend the MISA-Zimbabwe Annual editorial staff. General Meeting held at the Crowne Pla- za hotel in Harare. The MISA-Zimbabwe

So This is Democracy • 2011 183 Zimbabwe

family will remember him for his dedica- Alert tion and consistency in the belief for a Date: July 15, 2011 better media environment in Zimbabwe. Person/ institution: Nqobani Ndlovu, Pamenus Tuso, Pindai Dube, Oscar Communiqué Nkala, The Standard Date: July 5, 2011 Violation/ issue: Detained Person/ institution: MISA-Zimbabwe Four Bulawayo-based journalists were on Violation/ issue: Other 15 July 2011 arrested in Ntabazinduna MISA-Zimbabwe elected a new National while covering a story on a police officer Governing Council (NGC) at its elective who was reportedly being evicted from Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on her house on grounds of her alleged po- Saturday 2 July 2011 at the Crown Plaza litical affiliation to the Movement for Monomotapa Hotel in Harare. The AGM Democratic Change (MDC-T). was by attended by about 90 members. July 18 2011: The four Bulawayo-based The election, held in terms of Section journalists arrested on 15 July 2011 in 10.2 of the MISA regional constitution Ntabazinduna were later released around for all the 11 national chapters, saw 4.30pm on the same day without charg- the election of former Vice chairperson es after spending close to four hours in Njabulo Ncube to Chairperson and free- police custody. lance journalist Kumbirai Mafunda as his deputy. Senior journalists Kelvin Jakachi- Alert ra and Lifaqane Nare were elected com- Date: July 21, 2011 mittee members. Person/ institution: Blessed Mhlanga Violation/ issue: Censored, detained Alert Kwekwe- based journalist Blessed Date: July 7, 2011 Mhlanga was on 20 July 2011 arrested Person/ institution: Nkulani in Kwekwe while taking photographs of Nkabinde, Chrispen Tabvura people that had converged to witness Violation/ issue: Banned the launch of a an organisation called Nkulani Nkabinde and Chrispen Tabvura Midlands Youth Dialogue.Mhlanga was journalists with the privately owned dai- bundled into a police truck and driven to ly, NewsDay, were on 6 July 2011 report- Kwekwe Central police station where the edly barred from covering an arts festi- photographs he had taken were deleted val inside Khami Prison in Bulawayo by from his camera. prison officials. The officials insisted that the two should first produce an invita- tion letter to the event, they were made to wait in the prison complex’s car park for more than an hour as prison officials went inside to consult their superiors.

184 So This is Democracy • 2011 Communiqué Alert Date: July 25 2011 Date: August 12, 2011 Person/ institution: Artists, MISA- Person/ institution: Constantine Zimbabwe, Democracy Trust Chimakure, Wongai Zhangazha and Zimbabwe Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) Violation/ issue: Censored Violation/ issue: Censored, The police on 23 July 2011 barred MISA- threatened Zimbabwe and Artists for Democracy Police from the Law and Order section Trust Zimbabwe from staging a joint Free on 11 August 2011 visited Alpha Media the Airwaves concert at Warren Park Holdings (AMH) offices in search Zim- Shopping Centre in Harare. This is despite babwe Independent editor Constantine the fact that the organisers of the event Chimakure and senior political reporter had notified the police of the event and Wongai Zhangazha over a story the pa- cleared to proceed with the concert. per published in its edition of 8 July 2011. Warren Park police officers argued that August 30, 2011: Police from the Law and the notification letter did not outline Order Section on 29 August 2011 ques- that the activity was a public awareness tioned Zimbabwe Independent editor activity. The police said they only became Constantine Chimakure and senior po- aware of the scope of the event follow- litical reporter Wongai Zhangazha over a ing an article published in the NewsDay story the paper published in its edition of of 20 July 2011. 8 July 2011. The two whose statements were recorded by Detective Murira were Alert questioned on the sources of the story Date: July 25, 2011 which was allegedly based on Cabinet Person/ institution: Aaron Ufumeli deliberations, an offence under the Of- and Lev Mukarati ficial Secrets Act. Violation/ issue: Assaulted Journalists Aaron Ufumeli and Lev Mu- Alert karati were on 23 July 2011 reportedly Date: August 15, 2011 assaulted and harassed by suspected Person/ institution: Sunday Mail Zanu PF supporters who were part of a Violation/ issue: Censored public hearing on the Human Rights Bill The Rainbow Tourism Group Limited that was being conducted at the Parlia- (RTG) company management on 10 Au- ment of Zimbabwe in Harare. gust 2011 allegedly attempted to ‘gag’ The Sunday Mail from publishing the remarks by major shareholder Nicholas van Hoogstraten querying a $20 million debt that the company has accrued over the past two years.

So This is Democracy • 2011 185 Zimbabwe

Alert Standard, Zimbabwe Independent and Date: August 30, 2011 Newsday. Person/ institution: foreign September 15, 2011: Harare magistrate newspapers, ZMC Donald Ndirowei on 14 September 2011 Violation/ issue: Threatened set 24 October 2011 as the trial date for Foreign newspapers circulating in Zim- Standard reporter Patience Nyangove babwe risk being banned if they fail to and editor Nevanji Madanhire together register with the statutory Zimbabwe with Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) hu- Media Commission (ZMC) in terms of man resources manager Loud Ramakga- the draconian Access to Information and pola. Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). October 25, 2011: The trial of The Stand- ard journalists, editor Nevanji Madan- Communiqué hire, reporter Patience Nyangove and Date: August 30, 2011 Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) group hu- Person/ institution: MISA-Zimbabwe man resources manager Loud Ramakga- Violation/ issue: Other pola — representing the company on 24 MISA-Zimbabwe’s National Govern- October 2011 — failed to take off again. ing Council (NGC) has completed the as the trial was about to commence, the constitution of its 10 decentralised Ad- defence argued the State was wrongly vocacy Committees in Kwekwe, Gweru, prosecuting Ramakgapola, who was be- Bulawayo, Gwanda, Victoria Falls, Masv- ing cited as representing “The Standard”, ingo, Mutare, Marondera, Chinhoyi and in both the charge sheet and the State Harare. Elections for the new commit- outline. tee members who will serve three-year October 31, 2011: The case was deferred terms were held from 19 -29 August after provincial magistrate Kudakwashe 2011 in line with provisions of Section Jarabini said he was overwhelmed with 8.3 of MISA-Zimbabwe’s constitution. court business and could not therefore entertain a fresh matter. Jarabini then Alert deferred the trial date to 12 December Date: September 1, 2011 2011. Person/ institution: Patience Nyangove and Nevanji Madanhire Alert Violation/ issue: Sentenced Date: September 6, 2011 The Attorney-General (AG)’s Office has Person/ institution: Farai Mugano reportedly withdrawn part of the crimi- and Gillian Gotora nal charges against Standard reporter Violation/ issue: Detained Patience Nyangove and editor Nevanji Associated Press journalists Farai Mu- Madanhire.The three are being jointly gano and Gillian Gotora were briefly de- charged with Alpha Media Holdings tained at the Libyan Embassy in Harare (AMH) human resources manager, Loud on 1 September 2011 where they had Ramakgapola. AMH are publishers of the gone to cover the deportation story of

186 So This is Democracy • 2011 Ambassador Taher Elmagrahi. Police ar- Communiqué rested and detained the journalists as Date: October 21, 2011 they tried to interview Elmagrahi outside Person/ institution: Zimpapers Talk the embassy. Radio Violation/ issue: Other Alert The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Date: September 13, 2011 (BAZ) on 20 October 2011 convened the Person/ institution: Media second of its four scheduled public hear- Violation/ issue: Threatened ings for prospective free-to-air radio li- The Minister of Media, Information and censees with Zimpapers Talk Radio (ZTR) Publicity Webster Shamu has warned appearing before the panel. foreign and private media organisations that the government will withdraw their Communiqué licences if they continue abusing their Date: October 25, 2011 journalistic privileges by denigrating and Person/ institution: Zimbabwean vilifying the country’s leadership. government Violation/ issue: Other Alert The Zimbabwean government says it is Date: October 14, 2011 committed to the protection and pro- Person/ institution: Patrick motion of human rights in the country. Chinamasa In a statement presented on 24 October Violation/ issue: Legislations 2011 to the 50th Session of the African The Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Commission on Human and People’s un- Patrick Chinamasa on 12 October 2011 derway in Banjul, The Gambia, Zimbabwe said the draconian Access to Information government representative Mabel Musi- and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) ka said: “We remain committed to co- and the Public Order and Security Act operating with the distinguished Com- will not be amended. In his concluding mission and other stakeholders. We are remarks in Geneva, Switzerland, on the open to dialogue, constructive criticism occasion of the adoption of Zimbabwe’s and co-operation.” Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report by October 28, 2011: Several NGO’s attend- the working group of the Human Rights ing the 50th session of the African Com- Council (HRC), Chinamasa defended the mission on Human and Peoples’ Rights two laws saying they were here to stay. being held in Banjul, The Gambia, have bemoaned continued human rights violations in southern Africa.

So This is Democracy • 2011 187 Zimbabwe

Communiqué vember 2011 granted US$100 bail each Date: October 25, 2011 by Harare Magistrate Sandra Mupindu. Person/ institution: AB Communications Communiqué Violation/ issue: Other Date: November 28, 2011 The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Person/ institution: Broadcasting on 25 October 2011 convened the third Authority of Zimbabwe of its four scheduled public hearings for Violation/ issue: Other prospective free-to-air radio licensees The Broadcasting Authority of Zimba- with AB Communications appearing be- bwe (BAZ) on 27 November 2011 called fore the Authority. for applications for free to air local commercial radio broadcasting service Communiqué licenses and content distribution broad- Date: October 28, 2011 casting services in terms of Section 10 of Person/ institution: Broadcasting the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter Authority of Zimbabwe 12:06]. Violation/ issue: Other December 7, 2011: Mbizo Member of The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Parliament Settlement Chikwinya (MDC- on 27 October 2011 convened its last T) on 6 December 2011 gave notice in scheduled public hearings for prospec- parliament to move a motion on the ir- tive free-to-air radio licensees with VOP regular issuance of broadcasting licences FM appearing before the Authority. by the Broadcasting Authority of Zim- babwe (BAZ). The motion will call upon Alert parliament to dissolve the current BAZ Date: November 16, 2011 board which was unilaterally appointed Person/ institution: Nevanji by the Minister of Media, Information Madanhire Nqaba Matshazi, The and Publicity, Webster Shamu in Sep- Standard tember 2009. Violation/ issue: Detained Editor of The Standard newspaper, Ne- Alert vanji Madanhire and reporter Nqaba Date: December 5, 2011 Matshazi, were on 15 November 2011 Person/ institution: Xolisani Ncube, arrested by police on charges of crimi- The Daily News nal defamation and theft of documents Violation/ issue: Detained from Green Card Medical Aid Society in Police on 2 November 2011 stormed Harare. into The Daily News newsroom and ar- November 17, 2011: Editor of The Stand- rested reporter Xolisani Ncube in con- ard newspaper Nevanji Madanhire and nection with an article that appeared in reporter Nqaba Matshazi facing charges the paper in November which was titled: of criminal defamation were on 16 No- Chombo brags about wealth.

188 So This is Democracy • 2011 Alert Alert Date: December 6, 2011 Date: December 19, 2011 Person/ institution: Fadzai December Person/ institution: Tapfuma and Molly,MMPZ Machakaire Violation/ issue: Detained Violation/ issue: Detained Police in Gwanda on 5 December 2011 Freelance journalist Tapfuma Machakaire arrested and detained Fadzai December was on 16 December 2011 arrested in and Molly Chimhanda both advocacy Bulawayo while covering a Zimbabwe officers with the Media Monitoring Pro- Congress of Trade Unions congress. ject of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) in connection Machakaire was arrested while tak- with a community meeting on public in- ing pictures as the police disrupted the formation rights held on 24 November meeting. He was later released without in Gwanda. charges. December 7, 2011: Five police officers from the law and order section on 6 De- cember 2011 raided the Media Monitor- ing Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) offices in Harare before detaining and question- ing its co-ordinator Andy Moyse. He was later released in the evening following his arrest around 11 am. December 8, 2011: Gwanda magistrate Blessing Gundani on 7 December 2011 reserved judgment to 9 December 2011 on following an application for bail by detained Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) employees Fadzai December, Molly Chimhanda and Gilbert Mabusa. December 19, 2011: High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi on 16 De- cember 2011 ordered the release of Media Monitoring Project of Zimba- bwe employees Fadzai December, Molly Chimhanda and Gilbert Mabusa after he dismissed an appeal by the state against their granting of bail.

So This is Democracy • 2011 189 CLASSIFICATION

Country beaten/ legislated killed victory bombed assaulted Angola 2 1 0 0 0 Botswana 0 0 0 0 0 Lesotho 0 2 0 0 0 Malawi 1 10 0 2 1 Mozambique 0 0 0 0 0 Namibia 1 1 0 2 0 South Africa 0 1 0 0 0 Swaziland 1 1 0 3 0 Tanzania 1 0 0 1 0 Zambia 2 4 0 1 0 Zimbabwe 3 0 0 1 0 Total 11 20 0 10 1

Number of Alerts, Communiqués, and Press Statements

Country Number Of Number Of Press Total Alerts Communiques Statements Angola 6 2 0 8 Botswana 1 1 1 3 Lesotho 8 0 0 8 Malawi 13 11 7 31 Mozambique 1 0 0 1 Namibia 4 7 2 14 South Africa 2 2 0 4 Swaziland 15 2 1 18 Tanzania 3 3 0 6 Zambia 10 9 1 20 Zimbabwe 28 13 2 43 Press Release Sent By Misa Regional 0 0 5 5 Secretariat Total 91 50 19 160

190 So This is Democracy • 2011 detained sentenced others censored Expelled/ Threatened Total banned 1 2 2 0 0 2 10 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 2 8 2 0 8 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 4 2 0 0 11 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 6 1 3 17 1 1 2 0 0 0 6 1 1 6 1 1 2 19 11 2 15 3 3 3 41 16 9 44 14 5 13 143

So This is Democracy • 2011 191 ABOUT MISA MISA’s Mission, Vision and Values and accurate information on media freedom issues and violations; and The mission of MISA is to play a leading • To exercise its functions in an role in creating an environment of media efficient, cost effective and freedom that promotes independence, transparent manner, with full pluralism and diversity of views and participation of all stakeholders. opinions, sustainability and competency. In dealing with these elements, MISA MISA’s vision is of a Southern African will ensure that gender-specific needs region in which the media enjoys form an integral part of all activities. freedom of expression, independence MISA aims to create an environment from political, economic and commercial in which civil society is empowered interests, pluralism of views and opinions. to claim information and access to it Our vision is of a region where members as unalienable rights and in which - of society, individually or collectively are the resultant freer information flow free to express themselves through any strengthens democracy by enabling media of their choice without hindrance more informed citizen participation. of any kind. Access to information must be unhindered MISA will work: • To create and maintain a media This environment will be characterised environment in which there is by: transparency, accountability, • A media that is free, independent, independence, pluralism and diverse and pluralistic. diversity; • Access to the media and information • To improve the skills base and by all sectors of society. professionalism among media • Media workers who are competent, workers; critical, accountable, sensitive to • m To promote and facilitate more gender issues and aware of their effective use of and access to the responsibility to society. media by all sectors of society; • Legislation, regulations and policy • To develop and maintain an environments that support media environment conducive to relevant independence, diversity and and effective advocacy campaigns pluralism. on media freedom issues and media • Citizens in the SADC region are violations on an international, empowered to claim information as regional, national and local basis; a basic right. • To deliver timely, comprehensive

192 So This is Democracy • 2011 The mission and vision of MISA are based is guided by the Regional Governing on values that seek to: Council made up of the Regional Council • Advance the aims and objectives Chairperson and the chairpersons of of the Windhoek Declaration of the national chapters. The MISA Trust 1991 and the African Charter on Funds Board, which is autonomous, Broadcasting of 2001; has oversight over the financial and • Promote a self reliant, non-partisan objectives of the organisation. and independent media that informs, empowers, educates and MISA currently has national chapters entertains; in 10 SADC countries – Botswana, • Nurture media freedom in an Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, ethical, competent and professional South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, media environment; Zambia and Zimbabwe, while it has • Strengthen and support the a representative to run its operations development of a vibrant and in Angola. Each national chapter is participatory media sector; serviced by a national secretariat under • Lobby for access to information in the guidance of the National Governing order to enhance transparency and Council. Membership in MISA is open citizen participation in government, to individual media practitioners, media judiciary and legislative issues; and houses and associations who join MISA • Promote democracy, human rights at national level. and the advancement of equality, human dignity, freedom and non- MISA’s main achievements are in the discrimination. areas of media freedom monitoring and • Advocate and advance gender the issuing of action alerts highlighting equality to redress imbalances in violations of this right in the southern the media and society. African region. It has campaigned for an enabling environment for media to MISA History and legal status operate freely as part of a democratic system. MISA was established in 1992 as a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) and During the last 17 years, MISA has registered as a Trust in Windhoek, Namibia provided skills training opportunities for following the adoption of the 1991 many media workers in the region. Windhoek Declaration on Promoting In line with the 1991 Windhoek an Independent and Pluralistic African Declaration, MISA established the Press. MISA seeks to contribute to the Southern Africa Media Development implementation of this declaration in Fund (SAMDEF) which provides media the SADC region. MISA operations are businesses with loan and venture capital conducted by its Regional Secretariat and the Southern Africa Institute of based in Windhoek, Namibia which Media Entrepreneurial Development

So This is Democracy • 2011 193 (SAIMED) which offers media freedom violations, mostly by management training and development state authorities are made and services. campaigns against such violations intensified. MISA is a member of the MISA Activities and International Freedom of Expression programmes network (IFEX) since 1994 and has published an annual year book on From April 2002, MISA work has been the state of media freedom in the centred on five programme areas as region (So this is Democracy?) every identified by its members and elaborated year from 1994. in its Strategic Partnership Programme 3. The Campaign for Broadcasting April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2005. These Diversity programme seeks to are: continue the work on broadcasting 1. Freedom of Expression and Right policy MISA started in 1995 which to Information Campaign: which laid the foundation for the role seeks to campaign for citizens to of broadcasting in the region to embrace their right to be informed enable this major source of news through unhindered access to and opinions to operate effectively. information. Laws and policies The three tier system of public, that militate against these rights commercial and community will be challenged and grassroots broadcasting, if operated in the campaigns on the concept of correct manner, can provide services information as a basic right and that assist in the development and need will be done. The basis of this maintenance of democracy. programme area is founded on the 4. These have since been adopted as principle that informed citizens will a part of the African Charter on make the best decisions for their Broadcasting adopted by media wellbeing and in so doing empower practitioners and media freedom themselves. This will ensure that activists who gathered in Windhoek they can hold their governors under the auspices of UNESCO and accountable and is so doing lead MISA in May 2001 to commemorate to the reduction of poverty and the 10th Anniversary of the disease. Windhoek Declaration of 1991. The 2. Media Freedom Monitoring African Commission on Human programme which seeks to continue and Peoples’ Rights adopted similar the work MISA is renowned principles in their Declaration on for: monitoring and reporting Freedom of Expression in Africa media freedom violations in the in October 2002. Media Support region. Through this programme, Activities which form the basis of reports of incidents of media the fourth programme area seeks

194 So This is Democracy • 2011 to enhance Media Accountability this programme area is the plan to and Professionalism, Community establish a Legal Defence Fund in Broadcasting and The MISA News each of the countries where MISA Exchange. The first programme operates. area of media accountability and professionalism seeks to assist Two strategies will assist MISA in the media in ensuring that media reaching its objectives outlined in its five products are professionally provided programme areas. These are respectively and the media is accountable the strategies for Communication, to the general citizenry and Dissemination and Publications and the consumers of media products. Implementation and Monitoring. The It is the aim of this programme first strategy recognises that an effective area to ensure that code of ethics communication and information and a self-regulatory system are dissemination system is essential to an established for each of the eleven advocacy organisation. Furthermore, countries in which MISA operates. the fact that the organisation is spread The Community Broadcasting across eleven countries requires an programme is an initiative to assist efficient exchange of information to in the establishment of community allow for frequent interaction. broadcasting stations in the region. The News Exchange which started The second strategy is concerned with in 1994, will continue and be the management of the Strategic extended to include a Portuguese Partnership Programme for 2002 to language exchange and a ‘rip 2005. This includes systematic planning and read’ service for broadcasting and monitoring, a transparent and stations most of which do not have accountable financial system, new resources to gather news. criteria for budget allocations, a dynamic 5. Over the years, MISA has assisted and cohesive organisation and strong media practitioners and houses with governance structures. It also underlines legal fees to enable them to engage that gender sensitivity and networking lawyers for their defence in courts efforts permeate all five of MISA’s of law, mostly brought against them programme areas. by the State. The majority of cases concern criminal defamation, which Finances is still quite prevalent in the region. The Legal Support programme area MISA has received funding from many is the subject of assistance MISA donors over the years with its major plans to continue to give to media source being Danida, Sida, Norad, Hivos, houses and practitioners who EU, Open Society Institute for Southern may find themselves under such Africa (OSISA) and the Friedrich Ebert situations. The major element of Stiftung.

So This is Democracy • 2011 195 HOW TO REPORT AN ATTACK ON THE MEDIA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa • Wrongfully expelled (MISA) needs your assistance to compile • Wounded accurate and detailed alerts on abuses of • Wrongfully sued for libel or defamation press freedom in the Southern African region. News organisations that are: • Attacked or illegally searched Alerts serve a very important function in • Censored the advocacy work of MISA. The ultimate • Closed by force aim of the alert is to spur people on to • Raided, where editions are take action in the light of a particular confiscated or transmissions are violation. Apart from that, the alert jammed. Materials confiscated or serves the purpose of reporting and damaged recording a specific event or incident, • Wrongfully sued for libel or which either amounts to a violation of defamation media freedom or freedom of expression, or significantly advances it. The alert is What to include in your report: thus part of one of the most essential MISA needs accurate and detailed tools of advocacy - information. information about: • Names of journalists and news What to report: organisations involved Journalists who are: • Date and circumstances of the • Assaulted incident • Arrested • Detailed background information • Censored • Denied credentials Anyone with information about an • Harassed attack on the media should call • Kidnapped the Researcher at MISA by dialling • Killed +264 61 232975 or by sending • Missing e-mail to [email protected] • Threatened

196 So This is Democracy • 2011 What happens with your information? MORE ABOUT MISA Depending on the case, MISA will: • Investigate and confirm the report ALERTS • Pressure authorities to respond • Notify human right groups and The alert is different to a media press organisations around the statement that the latter is more a world, including IFEX, Article reaction and comment on an incident, while an alert is simply a report about it. 19, Amnesty International, Reporters San Where comment is included in an alert it Frontiers, Human Rights Watch and the is best reported as a quote. International • Federation of Journalists and Action alerts also educate people about • Increase public awareness through the nature of media freedom violations, the press leading to greater sensitivity to threats • Publish advisories to warn other and violations, thus ensuring that journalists about potential dangers more and more violations do not go • Send a fact-finding mission to unreported. MISA alerts are used as a investigate source of information by media freedom organisations around the world and serve to augment important international reports and publications which in turn are used as advocacy tools or research documents.

What types of incidents are reported in an action alert? 1. Direct violations against journalists’ right to operate or report freely - these include physical or verbal attacks or threats against journalists during the course of their work or as a result of their work; journalists being barred illegally from observing events or incidents or inspecting areas, journalists evicted or deported from a country because of their work, journalists imprisoned or detained and, journalists killed during the course of or as a result of their work.

So This is Democracy • 2011 197 2. Censorship - this is where media media in some way or the other. workers, institutions or activities are Very draconian legislation is usually banned or blocked. Where this does monitored and reported from the happen always indicate who issued stage at which it is mooted. When the ban, why and in terms of which issuing in alert around legislation, laws the ban was issued (sometimes we make sure to explain precisely countries have more than one law which parts of the law affect the which could be used to censor media and how. media). 5. Policies and statements by elected 3. Court cases - these are court cases government officials - these are involving the media or concerning monitored and reported in so far issues which affect the media (e.g. as they have a direct bearing on a 1995 case in Zimbabwe involving the workings and operations of the cell phone company Retrofit did not media. Verbal threats or attacks on include the media but significantly the media are crucial to report, as advanced freedom of expression well as statements advancing new and required to be reported). Alerts policies or clarifying, government are not normally issued for trials or policies with respect to the media. cases which are in progress (unless something significant happens), the commencement and conclusion (judgement) are the most important to report (it requires however that the entire trial be monitored). Background information is very important in alerts relating to court cases e.g. where a newspaper is being sued over an article, find out when the contentious article was published and give a brief idea of what the article said or reported. This helps to access whether a trial is reasonable and fair. In the case of a criminal trial, indicate exactly which law and sections thereof the journalist or media is being charged under. 4. Legislation - This refers to the introduction, amendment or repealing of all legislation affecting

198 So This is Democracy • 2011 Windhoek Declaration African Charter on Broadcasting Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression Declaration of Table Mountain

So This is Democracy • 2011 199 WINDHOEK DECLARATION

Declarations on Promoting Independent SecretaryGeneral for Public Information and Pluralistic Media - 3 May 1991 and the Assistant Director-General Endorsed by the General Conference at for Communication, Information and its twenty-sixth session - 1991 Informatics of UNESCO at the opening of the Seminar, We the participants in the United Nations/ United Nations Educational, Expressing our sincere appreciation to Scientific and Cultural Organization the United Nations and UNESCO for Seminar on Promoting an Independent organizing the Seminar, and Pluralistic African Press, held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 29 April to 3 Expressing also our sincere appreciation May 1991, to all the intergovernmental, governmental and nongovernmental Recalling the Universal Declaration of bodies and organizations, in particular Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which contributed Recalling General Assembly resolution to the United Nations/UNESCO effort to 59(I) of 14 December 1946 stating that organize the Seminar, freedom of information is a fundamental human right, and General Assembly Expressing our gratitude to the resolution 45/76 A of 11 December Government and people of the Republic 1990 on information in the service of of Namibia for their kind hospitality humanity, which facilitated the success of the Seminar, Recalling resolution 25C/104 of the General Conference of UNESCO of 1989 Declare that: in which the main focus is the promotion 1. Consistent with article 19 of of “the free flow of ideas by word and the Universal Declaration of image at international as well as national Human Rights, the establishment, levels”, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and Noting with appreciation the statements free press is essential to the made by the United Nations Under- development and maintenance

200 So This is Democracy • 2011 of democracy in a nation, and for restrictions on the exchange economic development. of news and information, and 2. By an independent press, we limitations on the circulation of mean a press independent newspapers within countries and from governmental, political or across national borders. In some economic control or from control countries, oneparty States control of materials and infrastructure the totality of information. essential for the production and 7. Today, at least 17 journalists, dissemination of newspapers, editors or publishers are in African magazines and periodicals. prisons, and 48 African journalists 3. By a pluralistic press, we mean the were killed in the exercise of their end of monopolies of any kind profession between 1969 and 1990. and the existence of the greatest 8. The General Assembly of the United possible number of newspapers, Nations should include in the magazines and periodicals agenda of its next session an item reflecting the widest possible range on the declaration of censorship as of opinion within the community. a grave violation of human rights 4. The welcome changes that an falling within the purview of the increasing number of African Commission on Human Rights. States are now undergoing towards 9. African States should be multiparty democracies provide the encouraged to provide climate in which an independent constitutional guarantees of and pluralistic press can emerge. freedom of the press and freedom 5. The worldwide trend towards of association. democracy and freedom of 10. To encourage and consolidate the information and expression is a positive changes taking place in fundamental contribution to the Africa, and to counter the negative fulfilment of human aspirations. ones, the international community- 6. In Africa today, despite the specifically, international positive developments in some organizations (governmental countries, in many countries as well as nongovernmental), journalists, editors and publishers development agencies and are victims of repression-they are professional associations-should murdered, arrested, detained and as a matter of priority direct censored, and are restricted by funding support towards the economic and political pressures development and establishment such as restrictions on newsprint, of nongovernmental newspapers, licensing systems which restrict magazines and periodicals that the opportunity to publish, visa reflect the society as a whole and restrictions which prevent the the different points of view within free movement of journalists, the communities they serve.

So This is Democracy • 2011 201 11. All funding should aim to 16. As a matter of urgency, the encourage pluralism as well as United Nations and UNESCO, and independence. As a consequence, particularly the International the public media should be funded Programme for the Development only where authorities guarantee of Communication (IPDC), should a constitutional and effective initiate detailed research, in freedom of information and cooperation with governmental expression and the independence (especially UNDP) and of the press. nongovernmental donor agencies, 12. To assist in the preservation of the relevant nongovernmental freedoms enumerated above, the organizations and professional establishment of truly independent, associations, into the following representative associations, specific areas: syndicates or trade unions of a. identification of economic journalists, and associations of barriers to the establishment of editors and publishers, is a matter news media outlets, including of priority in all the countries of restrictive import duties, tariffs Africa where such bodies do not and quotas for such things as now exist. newsprint, printing equipment, 13. The national media and labour and typesetting and word relations laws of African countries processing machinery, should be drafted in such a way as and taxes on the sale of to ensure that such representative newspapers, as a prelude to associations can exist and fulfil their removal; their important tasks in defence of b. training of journalists and press freedom. managers and the availability 14. As a sign of good faith, African of professional training Governments that have jailed institutions and courses; journalists for their professional c. legal barriers to the recognition activities should free them and effective operation of immediately. Journalists who have trade unions or associations had to leave their countries should of journalists, editors and be free to return to resume their publishers; professional activities. d. a register of available funding 15. Cooperation between publishers from development and other within Africa, and between agencies, the conditions publishers of the North and South attaching to the release of (for example through the principle such funds, and the methods of of twinning), should be encouraged applying for them; and supported. e. the state of press freedom, country by country, in Africa.

202 So This is Democracy • 2011 17. In view of the importance of radio and television in the field of news and information, the United Nations and UNESCO are invited to recommend to the General Assembly and the General Conference the convening of a similar seminar of journalists and managers of radio and television services in Africa, to explore the possibility of applying similar concepts of independence and pluralism to those media. 18. The international community should contribute to the achievement and implementation of the initiatives and projects set out in the annex to this Declaration. 19. This Declaration should be presented by the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations to the United Nations General Assembly, and by the DirectorGeneral of UNESCO to the General Conference of UNESCO.

So This is Democracy • 2011 203 AFRICAN CHARTER ON BROADCASTING

There have been significant gains in media Noting that freedom of expression freedom in Africa since the adoption of includes the right to communicate and the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting access to means of communication; an Independent and Pluralistic African Press in 1991. However, the declaration Mindful of the fact that the Windhoek focused primarily on the promotion of Declaration focuses on the print the print media and was silent on issues media and recalling Paragraph 17 such as broadcasting liberalisation and of the Windhoek Declaration, which the globalisation of the communications recommended that a similar seminar industry. These issues have far reaching be convened to address the need for social and economic implications independence and pluralism in radio and for media freedom and threaten to television broadcasting; jeopardize the production of media that reflects Africa’s rich cultural diversity. Acknowledging the enduring relevance A representative group of African media and importance of the Windhoek practitioners sought to address these Declaration to the protection and concerns at a UNESCO conference called promotion of freedom of expression and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the of the media; original Windhoek Declaration. The result was the African Charter on Broadcasting, Noting that freedom of expression which serves as a modern blueprint includes the right to communicate and for policies and laws determining the access to means of communication; future of broadcasting and information technology in Africa. Mindful of the fact that the Windhoek Declaration focuses on the print We the Participants of Windhoek+10 media and recalling Paragraph 17 Declare that: of the Windhoek Declaration, which recommended that a similar seminar Acknowledging the enduring relevance be convened to address the need for and importance of the Windhoek independence and pluralism in radio and Declaration to the protection and television broadcasting; promotion of freedom of expression and of the media; Recognising that the political, economic

204 So This is Democracy • 2011 and technological environment in which particularly of a political or the Windhoek Declaration was adopted economic nature, by, among has changed significantly and that there other things, an appointments is a need to complement and expand process for members which is upon the original Declaration; open, transparent, involves the participation of civil society, and Aware of the existence of serious is not controlled by any particular barriers to free, independent and political party. pluralistic broadcasting and to the right 3. Decision-making processes about to communicate through broadcasting the overall allocation of the in Africa; frequency spectrum should be open and participatory, and ensure that Cognisant of the fact that for the vast a fair proportion of the spectrum is majority of the peoples of Africa, the allocated to broadcasting uses. broadcast media remains the main 4. The frequencies allocated to source of public communication and broadcasting should be shared information; equitably among the three tiers of broadcasting. Recalling the fact that the frequency 5. Licensing processes for the spectrum is a public resource which allocation of specific frequencies must be managed in the public interest. to individual broadcasters should be fair and transparent, and based on clear criteria which include Part One promoting media diversity in GENERAL REGULATORY ISSUES ownership and content. 1. The legal framework for 6. Broadcasters should be required to broadcasting should include a promote and develop local content, clear statement of the principles which should be defined to include underpinning broadcast regulation, African content, including through including promoting respect for the introduction of minimum freedom of expression , diversity, quotas. and the free flow of information 7. States should promote an and ideas, as well as a three- economic environment that tier system for broadcasting: facilitates the development of public service, commercial and independent production and community. diversity in broadcasting. 2. 2 All formal powers in the areas of 8. The development of appropriate broadcast and telecommunications technology for the reception of regulation should be exercised broadcasting signals should be by public authorities which are promoted. protected against interference,

So This is Democracy • 2011 205 Part Two broad casters under reasonable and PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING non-discriminatory terms. 1. All State and government controlled broadcasters should be PART Three transformed into public service COMMUNITY BROADCASTING broadcasters, that are accountable 1. Community broadcasting is to all strata of the people as broadcasting which is for, by and represented by an independent about the community, whose board, and that serve the overall ownership and management is public interest, avoiding one-sided representative of the community, reporting and programming in which pursues a social development regard to religion, political belief, agenda, and which is non-profit. culture, race and gender. 2. There should be a clear recognition, 2. Public service broadcasters including by the international should, like broadcasting and community, of the difference telecommunications regulators, between decentralised public be governed by bodies which are broadcasting and community protected against interference. broadcasting. 3. The public service mandate of 3. The right of community public service broadcasters should broadcasters to have access to the be clearly defined. Internet, for the benefit of their 4. The editorial independence of respective communities, should be public service broad casters should promoted. be guaranteed. 5. Public service broadcasters should PART Four be adequately funded in a manner TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND that protects them from arbitrary CONVERGENCE interference with their budgets. 1. The right to communicate 6. Without detracting from editorial includes access to telephones, control over news and current email, Internet and other affairs content and in order to telecommunications systems, promote the development of including through the promotion of independent productions and to community-controlled information enhance diversity in programming, communication technology centres. public service broadcasters should 2. Telecommunications law and be required to broadcast minimum policy should promote the goal quotas of material by independent of universal service and access, producers. including through access clauses 7. The transmission infrastructure in privatisation and liberalisation used by public service broad casters processes, and proactive measures should be made accessible to all by the State.

206 So This is Democracy • 2011 3. The international community regulatory bodies and public service and African governments should broadcasting, and to lobby relevant mobilise resources for funding official actors. research to keep abreast of the 3. All debates about broad casting rapidly changing media and should take into account the needs technology landscape in Africa. of the commercial broadcasting 4. African governments should sector. promote the development of 4. UNESCO should undertake an audit online media and African content, of the Charter every five years, including through the formulation given the pace of development in of non-restrictive policies on new the broadcasting field. information and communications 5. UNESCO should raise with member technologies. governments the importance of 5. Training of media practitioners broadcast productions being given in electronic communication, special status and recognised as research and publishing skills needs cultural goods under the World to be supported and expanded, Trade Organization rules. in order to promote access to, 6. UNESCO should take measures and dissemination of, global to promote the inclusion of the information. theme of media, communications and development in an appropriate PART Five manner during the UN Summit on IMPLEMENTATION the Information Society in 2003. 1. UNESCO should distribute the African Charter on Broadcasting as broadly as possible, including to stakeholders and the general public, both in Africa and worldwide. 2. Media organizations and civil society in Africa are encouraged to use the Charter as a lobbying tool and as their starting point in the development of national and regional broadcasting policies. To this end media organisations and civil society are encouraged to initiate public awareness campaigns, to form coalitions on broadcasting reform, to formulate broad casting policies, to develop specific models for

So This is Democracy • 2011 207 DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Preamble Recalling that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right guaranteed Reaffirming the fundamental by the African Charter on Human importance of freedom of expression and Peoples’ Rights, the Universal as an individual human right, as a Declaration of Human Rights and cornerstone of democracy and as a the International Covenant on Civil means of ensuring respect for all human and Political Rights, as well as other rights and freedoms; international documents and national constitutions; Reaffirming Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Eights; Considering the key role of the media and other means of communication Desiring to promote the free flow of in ensuring full respect for freedom of information and ideas and greater expression, in promoting the free flow respect for freedom of expression; of information and ideas, in assisting people to make informed decisions Convinced that respect for freedom of and in facilitating and strengthening expression, as well as the right of access democracy; to information held by public bodies and companies, will lead to greater Aware of the particular importance of public transparency and accountability, the broadcast media in Africa, given as well as to good governance and the its capacity to reach a wide audience strengthening of democracy; due to the comparatively low cost of receiving transmissions and its ability to Convinced that laws and customs that overcome barriers of illiteracy; repress freedom of expression are a disservice to society;

208 So This is Democracy • 2011 Noting that oral traditions, which and inalienable human right and are rooted in African cultures, lend an indispensable component of themselves particularly well to radio democracy. broadcasting; 2. Everyone shall have an equal opportunity to exercise the right Noting the important contribution to freedom of expression and that can be made to the realisation of to access information without the right to freedom of expression by discrimination. new information and communication technologies; II Interference with Freedom of Expression Mindful of the evolving human rights and human development environment 1. No one shall be subject to arbitrary in Africa, especially in light of the interference with his or her adoption of the Protocol to the African freedom of expression. Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights 2. Any restrictions on freedom of on the establishment of an African expression shall be provided by law, Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, serve a legitimate interest and be the principles of the Constitutive Act of necessary in a democratic society. the African Union, 2000, as well as the significance of the human rights and III Diversity good governance provisions in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Freedom of expression imposes an (NEPAD); and obligation on the authorities to take positive measures to promote diversity, Recognising the need to ensure the which include among other things-: right of freedom of expression in Africa, the African Commission on Human and availability and promotion of a range of Peoples’ Rights declares that: information and ideas to the public; pluralistic access to the media and other I The Guarantee of Freedom of means of communication, including by Expression vulnerable or marginalised groups, such as women, children and refugees, as 1. Freedom of expression and well as linguistic and cultural groups; information, including the right the promotion and protection of African to seek, receive and impart voices, including through media in local information and ideas, either languages; and orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other the promotion of the use of local form of communication, including languages in public affairs, including in across frontiers, is a fundamental the courts.

So This is Democracy • 2011 209 IV Freedom of Information V Private Broadcasting

1. Public bodies hold information not 1. States shall encourage a diverse, for themselves but as custodians of independent private broadcasting the public good and everyone has sector. A State monopoly over a right to access this information, broadcasting is not compatible with subject only to clearly defined rules the right to freedom of expression. established by law. 2. The broadcast regulatory system 2. The right to information shall be shall encourage private and guaranteed by law in accordance community broadcasting in with the following principles: accordance with the following everyone has the right to access principles: information held by public bodies; there shall be equitable allocation everyone has the right to access of frequencies between private information held by private bodies broadcasting uses, both commercial and which is necessary for the exercise or community; protection of any right; an independent regulatory body shall any refusal to disclose information shall be responsible for issuing broadcasting be subject to appeal to an independent licences and for ensuring observance of body and/or the courts; licence conditions; public bodies shall be required, even licensing processes shall be fair and in the absence of a request, actively transparent, and shall seek to promote to publish important information of diversity in broadcasting; and significant public interest; community broadcasting shall be no one shall be subject to any sanction promoted given its potential to broaden for releasing in good faith information access by poor and rural communities to on wrongdoing, or that which would the airwaves. disclose a serious threat to health, safety or the environment save where VI Public Broadcasting the imposition of sanctions serves a legitimate interest and is necessary in a State and government controlled democratic society; and broadcasters should be transformed secrecy laws shall be amended as into public service broadcasters, necessary to comply with freedom of accountable to the public through the information principles. legislature rather than the government, 3. Everyone has the right to access in accordance with the following and update or otherwise correct principles: their personal information, whether public broadcasters should be governed it is held by public or by private by a board which is protected against bodies. interference, particularly of a political or

210 So This is Democracy • 2011 economic nature; VIII Print Media the editorial independence of public service broadcasters should be 1. Any registration system for the guaranteed; print media shall not impose public broadcasters should be substantive restrictions on the right adequately funded in a manner to freedom of expression. that protects them from arbitrary 2. Any print media published by interference with their budgets; a public authority should be public broadcasters should strive to protected adequately against ensure that their transmission system undue political interference. covers the whole territory of the 3. Efforts should be made to increase country; and the scope of circulation of the the public service ambit of public print media, particularly to rural broadcasters should be clearly defined communities. and include an obligation to ensure that 4. Media owners and media the public receive adequate, politically professionals shall be encouraged balanced information, particularly to reach agreements to guarantee during election periods. editorial independence and to prevent commercial considerations VII Regulatory Bodies from unduly influencing media for Broadcast and content. Telecommunications IX Complaints 1. Any public authority that exercises powers in the areas of broadcast 1. 1. A public complaints system or telecommunications regulation for print or broadcasting should be should be independent and available in accordance with the adequately protected against following principles: interference, particularly of a complaints shall be determined in political or economic nature. accordance with established rules and 2. The appointments process for codes of conduct agreed between all members of a regulatory body stakeholders; and should be open and transparent, the complaints system shall be widely involve the participation of civil accessible. society, and shall not be controlled 2. Any regulatory body established by any particular political party. to hear complaints about media 3. Any public authority that exercises content, including media councils, powers in the areas of broadcast shall be protected against political, or telecommunications should be economic or any other undue formally accountable to the public interference. Its powers shall be through a multi-party body. administrative in nature and it shall

So This is Democracy • 2011 211 not seek to usurp the role of the XII Protecting Reputations courts. 3. Effective self-regulation is the 1. States should ensure that their laws best system for promoting high relating to defamation conform to standards in the media. the following standards

X Promoting Professionalism no one shall be found liable for true statements, opinions or statements 1. Media practitioners shall be free to regarding public figures which it organise themselves into unions was reasonable to make in the and associations. circumstances; 2. The right to express oneself public figures shall be required to through the media by practising tolerate a greater degree of criticism; journalism shall not be subject to and undue legal restrictions. sanctions shall never be so severe as to inhibit the right to freedom of XI Attacks on Media expression, including by others. Practitioners 2. Privacy laws shall not inhibit the 1. Attacks such as the murder, dissemination of information of kidnapping, intimidation of and public interest. threats to media practitioners and others exercising their right XIII Criminal Measures to freedom of expression, as well as the material destruction 1. States shall review all criminal of communications facilities, restrictions on content to ensure undermines independent that they serve a legitimate interest journalism, freedom of expression in a democratic society. and the free flow of information to 2. Freedom of expression should not the public. be restricted on public order or 2. States are under an obligation national security grounds unless to take effective measures to there is a real risk of harm to a prevent such attacks and, when legitimate interest and there is a they do occur, to investigate them, close causal link between the risk of to punish perpetrators and to harm and the expression. ensure that victims have access to effective remedies. 3. In times of conflict, States shall respect the status of media practitioners as non-combatants.

212 So This is Democracy • 2011 XIV Economic Measures XVI Implementation

1. States shall promote a general States Parties to the African Charter economic environment in which on Human and Peoples’s Rights should the media can flourish. make every effort to give practical 2. States shall not use their power effect to these principles. over the placement of public advertising as a means to interfere with media content. 3. States should adopt effective measures to avoid undue concentration of media ownership, although such measures shall not be so stringent that they inhibit the development of the media sector as a whole.

XV Protection of Sources and other journalistic material

Media practitioners shall not be required to reveal confidential sources of information or to disclose other material held for journalistic purposes except in accordance with the following principles: the identity of the source is necessary for the investigation or prosecution of a serious crime, or the defence of a person accused of a criminal offence; the information or similar information leading to the same result cannot be obtained elsewhere; the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to freedom of expression; and disclosure has been ordered by a court, after a full hearing.

So This is Democracy • 2011 213 Declaration of Table Mountain

The World Association of Newspapers Reaffirm our responsibility as the global and the World Editors Forum, meeting at representative organisations of the the 60th World Newspaper Congress and owners, publishers and editors of the 14th World Editors Forum Conference world’s press to conduct “aggressive and in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 persistent campaigning against press June 2007, freedom violations and restrictions”,

Note that in country after country, the Reaffirm our commitment to freedom African press is crippled by a panoply of the press as a basic human right as of repressive measures, from the jailing well as an indispensable constituent of and persecution of journalists to the democracy in every country, including widespread scourge of ‘insult laws’ and those in Africa, criminal defamation which are used, ruthlessly, by governments to prevent Note that Article 19 of the Universal critical appraisal of their performance Declaration of Human Rights guarantees and to deprive the public from freedom of expression as a fundamental information about their misdemeanours, right, and emphasise that freedom of expression is essential to the realization State their conviction that Africa of other rights set forth in international urgently needs a strong, free and human rights instruments, independent press to act as a watchdog over public institutions, Recall that those principles have been restated and endorsed in the 2002 Consider that press freedom remains Declaration on Principles of Freedom a key to the establishment of good of Expression in Africa, adopted by the governance and durable economic, African Commission on Human and political, social and cultural development, Peoples’ Rights and the African Union, prosperity and peace in Africa, and to the thus requiring member states of the fight against corruption, famine, poverty, African Union to uphold and maintain violent conflict, disease, and lack of press freedom, education, Recall also the 1991 Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and

214 So This is Democracy • 2011 Pluralistic African Press, Declare that

Observe that despite numerous African states must recognise opportunities for a free press to emerge the indivisibility of press freedom from national independence, fully- and their responsibility to respect fledged press freedom still does not their commitments to African and exist in many African countries and that international protocols upholding the murder, imprisonment, torture, banning, freedom, independence and safety of censorship and legislative edict are the the press, and norm in many countries, To further that aim by, as a matter Recognise that these crude forms of of urgency, abolishing ``insult’’ and repression are bolstered by the deliberate criminal defamation laws which in the exclusion of certain newspapers from five months of this year have caused the state-advertising placement, the burden harassment, arrest and/or imprisonment of high import taxes on equipment and of 229 editors, reporters, broadcasters newsprint and unfair competition from and online journalists in 27 African state-owned media, countries (as outlined in the annexure to this declaration), Note that despite the adoption of press freedom protocols and the repression of Call on African governments as a matter that freedom on a wide scale in Africa, of urgency to review and abolish all the African Union in instituting its other laws that restrict press freedom, African Peer Review Mechanism under the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Call on African governments that have Development) programme has excluded jailed journalists for their professional the fostering of a free and independent activities to free them immediately and press as a key requirement in the to allow the return to their countries of assessment of good governance in the journalists who have been forced into countries of the continent, and exile,

Identify as the greatest scourge of press Condemn all forms of repression of freedom on the continent the continued African media that allows for banning implementation of “insult laws,” which of newspapers and the use of other outlaw criticism of politicians and those devices such as levying import duties in authority, and criminal defamation on newsprint and printing materials and legislation, both of which are used withholding advertising, indiscriminately in the vast majority of African states that maintain them and Call on African states to promote the which have as their prime motive the highest standards of press freedom in ``locking up of information’’, furtherance of the principles proclaimed

So This is Democracy • 2011 215 in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration control. of Human Rights and other protocols and to provide constitutional guarantees This Declaration shall be presented to: of freedom of the press, The Secretary-General of the United Nations with the request that it be Call on the African Union immediately presented to the UN General Assembly; to include in the criteria for “good to the UNESCO Director-General with governance” in the African Peer Review the request that it be placed before the Mechanism the vital requirement that a General Conference of UNESCO; and to country promotes free and independent the Chairperson of the African Union media, Commission with the request that it be distributed to all members of the African Call on international institutions to Union so that it can be endorsed by the promote progress in press freedom in AU at its next summit meeting of heads Africa in the next decade, through such of state. steps as assisting newspapers in the areas of legal defence, skills development Cape Town, 3 June 2007 and access to capital and equipment,

Welcome moves towards a global fund for African media development and recommends that such an initiative gives priority attention to media legal reform and in particular the campaign to rid the continent of “insult” and criminal defamation laws,

Commit WAN and WEF to expand their existing activities in regard to press freedom and development in Africa in the coming decade.

WAN and WEF make this declaration from Table Mountain at the southern tip of Africa as an earnest appeal to all Africans to recognise that the political and economic progress they seek flourishes in a climate of freedom and where the press is free and independent of governmental, political or economic

216 So This is Democracy • 2011 This 18th edition of So This Is Democracy? documents numerous media freedom and freedom of expression violations that MISA recorded in Southern Africa during the course of 2011. The critical monitoring and research function is at the core of MISA’s work throughout Southern Africa and closely-linked with decisive action, both in terms of practical support to journalists and media policy advocacy. Hence, it has become a continuous need to define the role of the media in a democracy. If information is power and informed citizens make informed choices, it means, therefore, that every democracy needs a free, independent and diverse media to facilitate the various interactions of citizens as well as capture their own national aspirations, hopes and dreams by productively promoting vibrant and robust debate on development-related issues. In view of this understanding, attempts to hinder access to information therefore represent a devastating blow to democratic culture and stunts growth and development in any country because citizens are denied their right and power to actively participate in national processes, meaning that the intrinsic relationship between the democratisation project and advancement of media freedom, of which the promotion of access to information is an integral part, can only be ignored at own peril by all stakeholders, but more critically, the citizenry. We make two key observations based on the analyses contained in this report. One, as the strategies of beating journalists to a pulp, kidnapping or killing them or bombing printing presses lose their appeal in the region, the future of media repression will rely greatly on the threat of legal action against journalists or media houses. And, as long as media law reform agenda is held back, the more repressive governments will use outdated laws and the inherent colonial instruments of repression that come with such, to restrict media freedom and media growth in the region. Two, what is clear in the year under review is that within the self-regulatory framework of the media, those who sit in Media/Press Councils/Tribunals will have to create some critical distance between themselves and the media they regulate in order to gain confidence from both the public and those who criticize them, mostly politicians. The self-regulatory image currently being portrayed by various Media/Press Councils/Tribunals in the region is that they are closely-linked, if not part of, the media institutions they watch over and therefore cannot inspire public confidence because of the question marks placed on their credibility given these seemingly intrinsic links. On the other hand, political oversight of the media remains undesirable and must be resisted – at all costs! MISA remains committed to fighting for media freedom and freedom of expression in Southern Africa.