However, this freedom is practised more in the urban rather than the rural areas where people are gradually gaining more conscience as to the realities of technology and general sociopolitical development. What is apparent is that the culture of fear of the establishment and the politician has been wearing away over the past two years SCORES Individual scores: Average score: 1.3 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 4.0 (2006 = 2.6) There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secrets acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of the media ANALYSIS: Malawi does have laws restricting freedom of expression. Most of the laws date back to the colonial era, when there was no plurality in the media industry. During that period, there was only one public radio and one commercial newspaper. Most of these laws were never reviewed or repealed commensurate with the new political reality of multiparty democracy that has prevailed in the country since 1994. There has not been any alignment of the present day realities and practices with the old laws. Al Osman, proprietor and director of Capital Radio has challenged in the Courts some of the laws such as the Protected Names, Emblems, Flags and Places Act. There have been no reviews of the challenges over the past two years and the status quo remains the same since 2006. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1.4 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 1.7 (2006 = 2.0) Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted ANALYSIS: Entry into and the practice of journalism is not legislated to the effect that everyone is free to become a journalist in Malawi. There are, however, institutions that oversee standards in the practice of journalism such as the Malawi Media Council, which has to that effect a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Visiting media personnel are required to clear themselves, by convention, with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2008 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4 4.7 (2006 = 5.0) -179- Media Institute of Southern Africa