it has not translated in the improvement of journalistic standards. This could be because graduates do not necessarily enter the newsroom, but pursue more financially gratifying careers, such as public relations. At a recent strategic planning MISA recommitted itself to the capacity building of journalists through training and other interventions. We are confident that this will result in the improvement of journalism, and the realisation that advocacy journalism is required for us to experience more rapid socio-economic change. With regard to legal actions, a highlight was journalist John Grobler winning his defamation case against ruling party Swapo, after defamatory statements were made about him on the party’s website. He was called “a Koevoet soldier (ekakunya) who, along with his fellow brutal apartheid henchmen committed untold atrocities to the Namibian people.” and, “Simply put, his hands are soaked in the blood of the Namibian people.” Free Press Namibia and The Namibian newspaper also enjoyed victory in the courts, when former Walvis Bay Municipality Chief Executive Officer Augustinus Katiti’s defamation claim against the paper was dismissed with costs in the High Court. They however were served with another legal suit in October by Presidential pilot Alois Nyandoro, who claims that an article published in 2010 was defamatory. The case is ongoing. In November, Informanté newspaper was ordered to compensate Deputy Commissioner General of Correc- tional Services Tuhafeni Hangula, with N$50,000. Judge Dave Smuts ruled that the newspaper was unsuccessful in a proving, on a balance of probabilities, the truth of the allegations against Hangula. We are fortunate to have a judicial system that continues to adhere to the rule of law, and the principles that guide them in ensuring that justice prevails. In conclusion, we have just more than a year before watershed elections in 2014. The media’s role in informing, educating, and critically analysing political leadership and their performance will be more pronounced during this period. It is our hope, and intention, that Namibian media will play a constructive and influential role during this time, and that we will not suffer conflict, victimization and isolation as a result of this. Ultimately, we would like the public to vote for democracy, progress and freedom from poverty and all other social ills. MISA Namibia will be at the forefront of our journey towards a stronger democracy. 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\"