World Press Freedom Day commemorations MISA values the international attention to media and freedom of expression issues that is generated by World Press Freedom Day events. May 3 opens doors for interaction with governments and other authorities to address challenges facing the media, and it will therefore remain an important event in MISA’s calendar. During the year under review, all MISA chapters held May 3 events in their respective countries, some for a number of days. In Angola, May 3 was used to investigate the state of the media in the country. In a similar vein, marches were held in some centres in Zimbabwe, an action that is rare in this country as a result of the political situation. In Zambia and Tanzania, May 3 was used to facilitate dialogue among media players on issues affecting the profession. On May 3, MISA issued a regional statement as well as statements in the 11 countries where national offices exist. SADC Journalists Under Fire campaign MISA continues to assist victims of media and freedom of expression violations in southern Africa, under the SADC Journalists Under Fire campaign. This support has yielded positive results in having journalists released from police custody and fighting off state bans, as well as providing beaten or arrested journalists with medication and other critical needs. In Tanzania, MISA mobilised support for two editors of Mwanahalisi newspaper, Saed Kubenea and Ndimara Tegambwage, who were attacked with acid by unknown assailants. MISA and other media organisations organised 100 journalists to protest the attack and pledge their support for press freedom in Tanzania. MISA also provided one million Tanzania Shillings (about US$950) and encouraged other associations to extend their support to the victims of violations. Some four million Tanzanian Shillings (about US$3,800) was raised to support the victims. MISA’s national director also visited the editors in hospital, who pledged to continue fighting corruption in society even in the face of those who did not like to hear alternative voices. In Zimbabwe, journalists Tsvangirai Mukwazhi, Gift Phiri, Brian Hungwe, Nunurai Jena, Frank Chikowore, Bright Chibvuri and a number of foreign journalists were arrested during the course of the year. MISA provided them with lawyers and paid their legal fees. MISA also took some cases up to the Supreme Court in Zimbabwe, including the high-profile case of Hungwe who had been barred from reporting for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The Supreme Court threw out the case and the journalist was allowed to continue working. MISA also provided support to Phiri who was arrested and beaten up, while his household property was destroyed by the police. MISA managed to fight his case in the Magristrate’s Court, which resulted in Phiri being acquitted on a charge of “publishing false news”. In Lesotho, MISA is assisting broadcast journalist Thabo Thakalekoala to fight his sedition case against the government. In Angola, the local MISA office continues to raise concern about the imprisonment of journalist, Graca Campos, detained on allegations of defamation. MISA has succeeded in using its legal assistance programme and support to journalists to enable journalists operating under difficult conditions to continue working. Support to journalists is also a way of minimising self-censorship. Annual Report 2008 19