MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE MISA REGIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL These are exciting times at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) as the organisation continues to undertake its mandate in advocacy for the promotion of media freedom and freedom of expression in the region. This past year has demonstrated the various dynamics to be expected when an organisation undergoes an important growth and transition period. It has been a year filled with activism, successes and some challenges. These are signs that the organisation has an impact on the human rights and media landscape in the region, and demonstrate that we should continue to pursue our goals with the commitment and dedication that have made MISA what it is today. Freedom of expression remains a terrain of much contestation in southern Africa and the past year has seen continued threats to this fundamental human right, upon which the enjoyment of all others is anchored. In the past year we have raised alerts from most of the countries in which MISA operates. Our work aims to ensure that the right to freedom of expression is fiercely protected from infringement through programmes such as advocating for constitutional reform, media policy and law reform, the promotion of public broadcasting and community media, as well as capacity building in a number of freedom of expression and media-related areas. While challenges do remain within our countries and we cannot, for instance, ignore the situation in Zimbabwe and its attendant corrosive effect on the fabric of democracy and human rights, significant impact has been achieved by MISA’s work. Among the challenges faced by MISA this past year has been the reduced presence at the helm of the organisation of Regional Governing Council (RGC) Chairperson Thabo Thakalekoala due to pressing issues related to media freedom in Lesotho where he works as a freelance journalist. Nonetheless, we have held the fort in the spirit of true comradeship and unity to ensure normality and stability. At the Regional Secretariat level, we have done our best to give support and highlight those aspects of the chairperson’s ongoing court case that have a bearing on freedom of expression and that of the media. In this regard, I would like to extend appreciation for the additional support that members of the RGC and our various chapters have given to the chairperson during this time. Despite the challenges, we have had some notable successes over the past year. In this regard has been the finalisation of MISA’s Organisational Development (OD) process, which has taken some time due to its widely consultative nature. The OD process, which was inspired by our evolutionary needs and by feedback from our various and valued partners, has given us an opportunity to reflect on our core business, relevance and strategic interventions as a regional advocacy body. In the same vein we have introspected on our strengths as well as those areas that require additional effort. We are hopeful that the OD process proposals will be approved at the upcoming Annual General Meeting and that the incoming RGC will take its recommendations further and ensure their implementation in order to take MISA to even greater heights. It has also been encouraging to note that MISA chapters that faced challenges last year – namely in South Africa, Angola and Lesotho – are now fully operational with new board members as well as staff members. We hope that these chapters can continue to make MISA visible in their respective countries and with renewed vigour continue to engage constructively in the struggle for media freedom and freedom of expression. 6 Annual Report 2008