Regional overview mation, Public Order and Security Act (POSA), Interception of Communications Act and the Entertainment Controls Act, has a serious bearing on citizens’ full enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and access to information. Access to and the free flow of information are critical for citizens to make informed choices and hold government and public institutions accountable for their actions. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act currently retains sections that hinder this right. ELECTIONS AND THE MEDIA In 2014, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa all held national elections. The media have a key role to play in ensuring fair and transparent elections with informed voters. They act as a watchdog: ensuring greater transparency and accountability during the election process; providing citizens with information on their candidates, party policies and the elections process; and enabling them to make informed decisions when they cast their votes or engage in public debate. The media also have a responsibility to produce accurate, professional and impartial reports. In many countries – even those with well-established infrastructure and diversified media environments – illiteracy rates and costs of accessing technology mean the majority of the population rely on public television and radio stations for news and information. In an election year, that means these are the main sources of information for voters to access information on processes, candidates and do on. However, where media freedom is lacking and journalists are self-censoring due to intimidation and fear, voters cannot be guaranteed unbiased information from state broad- 14 So This is Democracy? 2014 casters. For example, in recent years South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC, has increasingly proven to be hampered by self-censorhsip and board loyalties to the ruling party. The media have a key role to play in ensuring fair and transparent elections with informed voters ... The media have a responsibility to produce accurate, professional and impartial reports. During the election, South African newspaper CityPress reported SABC management ordered senior SABC news executives not to broadcast footage of the crowds attending opposition election rallies. And, SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala reportedly told news staff the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) was monitoring their mobile phones. In Botswana, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) tried to control the media in the lead up to the 2014 election. Their behaviour included boycotting parliamentary and presidential debates organized by Gabz FM, a local private radio station.