T he state of the media and enjoyment of freedom of expression rights in 11 Southern African countries monitored by MISA, remains a case of one step forward and two back. This statement is aptly supported by the myriad of challenges media organisations, practitioners, and freedom of expression activists face on a day-to-day basis. The key issue in 2007 is the volatile relationship between governments and the media. While Zimbabwe remains dominant in terms of the number of alerts issued on media and freedom of expression violations, other countries such as Lesotho seem to be top contenders for this infamous crown. In 2007 MISA issued a total of 181 alerts. General elections in Lesotho have always remained a highly controversial process and often resulting in serious violations of media workers and freedom of expression rights. This points to the obvious lack of appreciation of the fact that the media could play a positive role in national processes. The belief in official circles remain that the media should dance to the tune of those in power, a situation that invariably pits the critical media voices against the ruling elite. This scenario again points to the fragility of democracy not only in Lesotho but also in Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and other Southern African countries where politicians make it a routine ritual to attack the media as unpatriotic, disrespectful of elderly statespersons and working at cross purpose with the broader national interest. It is therefore not surprising that in all the 11 countries covered in this publication, state and media relations dominate media alerts issued. These range from government orchestrated media and freedom of expression violations and/or policy pronouncements of intentions to gag the media. The media is still viewed with suspicion in official circles hence the verbal attacks, threat of enactment of regulating laws and arrests. This is true from Dar es Salaam to Pretoria, from Harare, Luanda to Windhoek. The need to defend and promote media freedom remains a high priority, not only for those directly affected but the rest of society. Interestingly, a flurry of activities in some countries to introduce new laws that impact on the media, directly and indirectly, are being proposed. These include Mozambique, Tanzania, Swaziland, Botswana and South Africa. While many of the proposed laws are unhealthy for the media, the Mozambique government seems to have set a different example. It has resorted to wide consultation on its proposed Freedom of Information Act. The new law being proposed either to control or promote openness points to a new battlefront being opened. The onus is now on the civil society to be more involved in the process and thus ensure that any new law or amendment is best designed to serve the society and not narrow political and economic interests. Lesotho: the Mountain Kingdom running to ground In Lesotho, which has a history of political violence and disputes over election results, the government does not seem to appreciate the fact that national healing and reconciliation is a two-way process. In its attempt to restore law and order in the country, the government invariably attacks the media. The arrest of Thabo Thakalekoala on charges of Sedition and Incitement under the Internal Security Act of 1984 was like a historical account from the apartheid era. Thakalekoala, a broadcast journalist was kept in police custody and received numerous threats because he read a letter on radio which, the government charged, was likely to cause public disorder. The mere existence of such laws that infringe on media rights and freedom of expression is a serious threat to the media. The arrests of journalists lead to self-censorship within the media, thereby depriving the society of vital information. The Lesotho media and freedom of expression violations are further So This Is Democracy? 2007 -4- Media Institute of Southern Africa