will not happen overnight but the sooner digital threats to media freedom and freedom of expression are taken up, the better for journalists’, bloggers’ and the public’s safety and security. 'LJLWDO0LJUDWLRQ With the exception of countries like Tanzania and Namibia, all of the SADC countries will miss the 2013 deadline for digital migration. Of course, this was the deadline set by SADC governments themselves, in an attempt to beat the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) deadline of 2015. Most governments may not even meet this 2015 global deadline. The lack of information on digital migration has been frustrating to say the least. Governments have been quite reluctant to translate this key policy issue to tangible action and also as something that is easily understood by the public. As things stand, it would appear as if most people who will be affected by the transition from digital to analogue transmission do not understand what really is going on. Added to this, facts of the infrastructure, signal distribution and set-top boxes are still being held behind closed doors and the results are not just coming through. Of course, there are significant monetary benefits to be made and the media will have to greatly scrutinise the entire digital migration process. &RQFOXVLRQ Most, if not all, of the issues covered in this report will be carried forward to 2013. Key issues will continue to be around the safety and security (both offline and on- 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\" line) of journalists. The killing of Daudi Mwangosi and the brutal attack on Absalom Kibanda in Tanzania remain serious causes for concern and therefore necessitate greater attention to be paid to them. The policy issues will also continue to be taken up substantively, especially around the repeal of criminal defamation laws and access to information. Of course, this will influence solid legal reforms across the region. Over the next two years, many southern African countries will be conducting elections. This is an important democratic exercise and the media have a particular role during elections. In September 2012, MISA, together with representatives from electoral management bodies, civil society and media drew up regional guidelines on the media conduct during elections (see appendices). From 2013, MISA will lead efforts to domesticate the guidelines and also, to ensure that elections are not occasions for media freedom violations as they have been in the past.