ABOUT MISA 0,6$·V0LVVLRQ9LVLRQDQG9DOXHV The mission of MISA is to play a leading role in creating an environment of media freedom that promotes independence, pluralism and diversity of views and opinions, sustainability and competency. In dealing with these elements, MISA will ensure that gender-specific needs form an integral part of all activities. MISA aims to create an environment in which civil society is empowered to claim information and access to it as unalienable rights and in which the resultant freer information flow strengthens democracy by enabling more informed citizen participation. 0,6$ZLOOZRUN • • • • • To create and maintain a media environment in which there is transparency, accountability, independence, pluralism and diversity; To improve the skills base and professionalism among media workers; m To promote and facilitate more effective use of and access to the media by all sectors of society; To develop and maintain an environment conducive to relevant and effective advocacy campaigns on media freedom issues and media violations on an international, regional, national and local basis; To deliver timely, comprehensive 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\" • and accurate information on media freedom issues and violations; and To exercise its functions in an efficient, cost effective and transparent manner, with full participation of all stakeholders. MISA’s vision is of a Southern African region in which the media enjoys freedom of expression, independence from political, economic and commercial interests, pluralism of views and opinions. Our vision is of a region where members of society, individually or collectively are free to express themselves through any media of their choice without hindrance of any kind. Access to information must be unhindered This environment will be characterised by: • A media that is free, independent, diverse and pluralistic. • Access to the media and information by all sectors of society. • Media workers who are competent, critical, accountable, sensitive to gender issues and aware of their responsibility to society. • Legislation, regulations and policy environments that support media independence, diversity and pluralism. • Citizens in the SADC region are empowered to claim information as a basic right.