https://zimbabwe.misa.org Impact of Covid 19 on Media Sustainability The media landscape in the region pre-Covid Even before the Covid-19 crisis, financial stability in the region of the private, independent news media, which is the major though not sole focus of this report, was of concern. In terms of freedom of the media, access to information, and potential sustainability, the countries of the region chosen to be examined here differ considerably. Three countries, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, have populations below three million people. Three countries, Lesotho, Tanzania and Zambia, are classified as least developed countries. Significantly, the RSF (Reporters without Borders) ranks several of the countries highly and several poorly. Though South Africa far outstrips the other countries in total economic output, it does not rank the highest in media freedom according to the RSF. Nor does Botswana, though it has the highest per capital income in the region; that honor goes to Namibia, with its tiny population but vibrant and diverse private media market. If there is a common thread it may be the dominance of State media and preferential treatment of State media, and a growing threat to press freedom along with growing authoritarianism even as some progress is made on the legal front, for example the passing of the Freedom of Information Act in Zimbabwe and subsequently the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).2The press freedom climate in several countries is inclement, and the crowding out of private, independent news media by State media in advertising markets threatens media pluralism and limits competition in provision of news that is necessary (but not sufficient) for production of quality news. 2. Chido Musodza, “New Information Law Should Set Pace for Repeal of Other Draconian Laws,” MISA Zimbabwe (blog), July 2, 2020, https://zimbabwe.misa.org/2020/07/02/new-information-law-should-set-pace- for-repeal-of-other-draconian-laws/. 5