I n many respects, the situation in Angola remains the same as during 2007. The ruling Movement for the People’s Liberation of Angola (MPLA) remains firmly entrenched after winning the 2008 parliamentary elections. Since the end of the Angolan civil war in 2002, there has been little change in media governance. The media still faces threats from the ruling party and government officials. The media coverage of the elections was no different to previous polls, with the state broadcaster openly showing support for the ruling party, to the extent of suspending state media journalists for apparently lacking allegiance to the ruling party. Although a new private radio and TV station entered the media market, these private interests are unlikely to have an impact on media freedom in Angola as they are both linked to the ruling elite. Economic profit interests drive media diversity in Angola and, thus, editorially, the new broadcasting stations are not expected to differ from state media. Radio Ecclesia remains the lone, independent force in Angola’s broadcasting environment, as it attempts to give a voice to those sectors left out of the mainstream media. Radio Ecclesia journalists are still treated with suspicion, harassed and beaten when it is deemed necessary. Angola’s security forces remain hostile to the private media and this scenario is unlikely to change in the near future. Corruption is of critical importance in the relationship between the Angolan media and the ruling elite. Despite the country’s wealth and huge investments, the majority of people remain extremely poor, continually shifted from location to location as they are seen as a nuisance to the wealthy. Journalists Graca Campos and William Tonet face defamation cases for reporting about alleged corruption by powerful entities in Angola. The ruling elite is quick to defend itself against accusations of corruption by having journalists arrested and making them face exorbitant damages claims. Transformation of the media in Angola is critical if the media is to play any role in the reconstruction of the country. There remains a need to transform the state-owned Televisão Pública de Angola (TPA) into a public broadcaster and enact laws that guarantee access to information. Commendably the government-run Angola Press Agency (ANGOP) does play a key information distribution role, touching on developmental issues such as poverty, education and health. From time to time, ANGOP has written critical articles. The news agency is, however, limited by the nature of its state ownership. While the Angolan media seem to be cautious about opening the democratic space, arguing as always that the effects of the civil war cannot be dealt with easily, the country’s long-term interest can only be protected if its citizens are guaranteed more freedom and space to interact with the government and other sectors. At the moment it remains business as usual in Luanda. Angola Panorâmica sobre Angola: por Rashweat Mukundu, e Jeremias André dos Santos – MISA Funcionário do Secretariado Regional Em Angola, quase tudo continua na mesma. O Movimento Popular de Libertação Total de Angola (MPLA), no poder, continua entrincheirado firme no poder, depois de emergir vitorioso nas eleições legislativas de 2008. O período pós guerra em Angola, trouxe poucas mudanças na liberdade dos Média. A comunicação social continua sendo vítima de ameaças desencadeadas So This Is Democracy? 2008 -10- Media Institute of Southern Africa