3.6 Public information is easily accessible, guaranteed by law, to all citizens including journalists. ANALYSIS: Access to public information remains a big challenge. Laws exist that restrict public officers from revealing information to the public such as Public Service Act, 1962. The Government’s proposals on the Freedom of Information Bill will further curtail access to information. This has been challenged by the Stakeholders proposals which suggest for minimising bureaucracy and secrecy in making information held by public and private organs accessible to the people. The stakeholders’ recommendations also propose for penalties for civil servants and other public officials who withhold information without due course. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.7 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1 1.3 (2006= 1.1) Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the cause of media freedom. ANALYSIS: It is estimated that there are over 10,000 registered NGO’s in the country. There are also about 11 registered media associations. However, most of the media associations are weak and not effective. It was also noted that most of the civil society organisations including media associations rely to a great extent on foreign funding. This reliance makes it askance as to whose agenda they may be following. The civil societies and media lobby groups are now forging strategic links. At the moment there is a coalition of 11 media and human rights organisations that are spearheading the lobby for legal reforms in the issue of access to information, freedom of expression and of the media. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3, 2, 2, 3, 1, 4, 3, 3, 3 2.7 (2006= 2.8) Overall score for sector 1: So This Is Democracy? 2008 2.2 (2006= 2.1) -229- Media Institute of Southern Africa