MISA Angola, in collaboration with the Association of Angolan Journalists (SJA), organised a broadcasting seminar where, among others, they demanded regional radio stations. Media diversity The emergence in mid-2005 of Cruzeiro do Sul, a private weekly circulated mainly in Luanda and Benguela, was considered the year’s media highlight. Unita re-launched its monthly newspaper, Terra Angolana, while the private weekly newspaper Actual ceased to exist. The government’s refusal to grant Radio Ecclesia a license to broadcast countrywide led to the Vatican broadcasting its main services on short wave radio. The Catholic online newspaper also strengthened its presence along with the news services of Nexus, among the existing ones in the public media. MISA Angola is concerned that the Angolan media lacks skills in Information and Communication Technology. Media solidarity In mid-2005, media associations such as SJA, the Association of Economic Journalists of Angola (Ajeco) and the Association of the Sporting Press (Aida) raised their concerns about the prosecution and victimisation of journalists and broadcasting restrictions to the Ministry of Social Communication. The private media echoed its concern about the limiting of Radio Ecclesia’s signal, as well as labour-related issues with Radio 2000 journalists in Lubango, Huila province. Conclusion The year 2005 confirmed the existence of an active private media in Angola, which is an important factor in the transitional process to democracy. However, this presence is limited to the capital city. The transformation of public media (both radio and television) into government media and the lack of a true public service broadcaster raise serious doubts of pluralism and independence, especially in the light of the upcoming general elections. The development of a pluralistic and independent media faces major constraints such as media management difficulties and the inappropriate political and commercial environment. Corruption in the social sphere, as well as within the media, raises ethical problems and brings into question the credibility of the media. The established practice of intelligence service agents infiltrating the media continues to create a climate of suspicion among journalists and the public at large. So This Is Democracy? 2005 -30- Media Institute of Southern Africa