• Constitutional reform process stalled • Failure of MECOZ to live up to expectations • Poor newspaper sales • No changes to penal laws impacting on the media • Poor training environment for journalists; classes meant for 25 now have as many as 50 students • Pay and conditions of service for journalists still not adequate • No relief in tax/duty regime for imports for the media industry The main drivers or actors for negative developments: • The political leadership has stalled reform processes and lacks genuine will to democratize the media environment. • Most journalists do not play an active role in the media reform process. • There is no will on the part of media houses to sufficiently support the Media Council MECOZ. • Media Associations are not doing enough to sensitize journalists and the public/civil society on the Freedom of Information Bill and other issues pertaining to the media. The main drivers or actors for positive developments: • Collaborative efforts of all media associations and a sustained TV/radio campaign for media reform in the face of all odds • Some Members of Parliament who supported legislation on ZNBC, IBA and Freedom of Information • Churches which provided channels for communication • The public in general which lent effective support to media reform campaigns Some of the activities needed over the next few years: • Engage the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and the Attorney General to get the broadcasting legislation implemented and the Freedom of Information Bill back to parliament • Engage Attorney General on media law reform generally • Strengthen MECOZ to forestall statutory regulation of the media • Embark on a public awareness campaign to publicize the self-regulatory mechanisms So This Is Democracy? 2007 -272- Media Institute of Southern Africa