Tanzania claimed no knowledge of the summons and letter. Tanzania’s most secretive public institution in 2014. Adding to the confusion, the police held a press conference after the incident and denied outright ever sending the letter. The police claimed they had no information about the summons and said they never complained about any story. Media stakeholders in the country were shocked to hear the police deny the summons was legitimate. MISA Tanzania was greatly encouraged by the judiciary’s reaction to receiving this not so illustrious award. In November 2014, for the first time in history, the Judiciary of Tanzania organised the Judicial Media Forum in Dar es Salaam bringing members of almost every major and small media outlet together with representatives from the Judiciary to discuss how to improve their relationship with each other. Over 150 people attended. The Chief Justice, 12 High Court and Court of Appeal judges, among others, represented the Judiciary while senior editors, media and human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs), retired journalists, journalism lecturers and practising journalists made up the media contingent. The Golden Padlock Award was in display at the high table and was central to the discussions of the day. In February 2014, journalist and Iringa Press Club Chairperson Frank Leonard was arrested at the Court after being accused of taking photos during a case in progress – the case was that of slain journalist Daudi Mwangosi. Leonard said he had not been taking photos. Rather, he claims he was trying to switch off his mobile phone. Police interrogated Leonard at the Central Police Station and found him not guilty. A few hours after the incident, he received a phone call from the Assistant Regional Police Commander ordering him not to report on what happened to him. A beacon of hope for improved relations between the media and the judiciary The year 2014 ended with an interesting event, hopefully signalling a new dawn for improved relations between media and Tanzania’s judiciary. Just like the police, for many years the judiciary and the media have had a tumultuous and adversarial relationship. This changed when MISA Tanzania launched the Tanzanian edition of the publication, Government Secrecy In An Information Age: 2014 Report on Open & Secretive Public Institutions in Southern Africa. In the report, MISA Tanzania named the judiciary as the recipient of the Golden Padlock Award for being 72 So This is Democracy? 2014 As much as there is still a shaky marriage between the media and the police force, media stakeholders believe relations can be repaired. The Judiciary, probably one of the most conservative institutions of Tanzania has paved the way, so there is every reason for others to follow suit. MEDIA LAWS AND REGULATIONS More broken promises as access to information bill remains stalled For over a decade now, MISA Tanzania has been leading efforts to decriminalise free expression and repeal laws limiting media freedom in Tanzania, beginning in 2001 when MISA Tanzania and other stakeholders reviewed the country’s media laws to identify those inhibiting media freedom.