In Botswana, the monopoly of the state broadcasters on the national airwaves ended when the private broadcasters went national. Awareness and support by key policy makers Greater awareness about public broadcasting and support from members of parliament was achieved in Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland through national conferences on public broadcasting. Judging by their post-conference contributions to parliamentary debates and other forums, considerable awareness has been raised on what truly constitutes public broadcasting. Following the conferences, MISA also forged invaluable contacts with influential and strategic members of parliament from both ruling and opposition parties to push the public broadcasting campaign to a new height. Beyond 2008 As the primary source of news and information in southern Africa, the important role of broadcasting and the need for broadcasting reform cannot be over-emphasised. The need to reform state broadcasters has never been more potent as evidenced by retrogressive legislation, absence of conducive broadcasting policies, political interference and lack of editorial independence. Legal, policy and regulatory reform remain at the heart of any attempts to ensure free expression, pluralism and diversity in broadcasting. MISA, therefore, has its work cut out in terms of advocacy for broadcasting reform. The mixed model of public, community and commercial broadcasting remains relevant as each fills the gap left by the other. MISA’s campaign for broadcasting diversity and ICTs remains more relevant than ever and requires the support of every individual, organisation and government committed to freedom of expression, access to information, media independence, media pluralism, media diversity and democracy. Annual Report 2008 27