African Media Barometer Mozambique Sector 1: Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, are effectively protected and promoted 1.1. Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is guaranteed in the constitution and protected by other pieces of legislation. Analysis: Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, specifically through its Article 48. Such freedoms are effectively promoted and guaranteed by the Law Nr. 18/91 of 10 August, generally known as Media Law (Press Law). Individual scores: 5; 5; 5; 5; 5; 5; 4; 3; 5; 5 Average score: 4.7 1.2. The right to freedom of expression is practiced and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Analysis: Fear depends on each person given the fact that there is nothing to impede the exercise of the above right. The environment in which one operates is effectively democratic. Even in journalistic circles, where there are those clearly stating that they do have fear, one observes that such fear is related to expectations by specific media professionals. However, in practice and objectively, nothing exists that could raise fear. As one moves away from the country’s capital, Maputo city, one observes the clear existence of some indications and symptoms of fear among media practitioners, due to the lack of respect for Media Freedom (Press Freedom) by certain politicians. A journalist working in Quelimane, Zambézia’s Provincial Capital, was dismissed from his position as head of a government media organisation for refusing to participate in a ruling Frelimo Party meeting for which he was invited in 2006. It is imperative that media practitioners do everything in their power to be able to resist the never ending manipulation from politicians. Such manipulation is possibly stronger within the country’s capital than in the various provinces. Eventually, those that are involved in manipulation certainly think that there is a tense climate in the country. With the exception of Maputo, where there are still those that do NOT report about RENAMO, for instance, for fear of being linked to the political opposition. The fear intensifies to an extent as one is further away from the country’s capital. That is exemplified clearly by what is happening with the community radios. As an example, only after one year elapsed, it was discovered that the seven million “Meticais” (N.T.: Meticals – being 1 Metical the Mozambique currency unit) allocated to the districts was being misused. This was because the community radio reporters said nothing about it due to the fear that is prevalent outside Maputo. There is intense political intimidation away from the country’s capital, many times resulting in revenge and retaliation. That raises fear among the people including journalists. In such So This Is Democracy? 2007 -176- Media Institute of Southern Africa