boast one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. The efforts of more than seven years of advocacy and lobbying seem to have finally paid off. MISA has over the years campaigned for a constitution, as well as other legislation, that guarantees media freedom and the right to information. MISA has two commissioners on the NCC whose critical and strategic positioning ensures that media freedom remains a priority on the NCC agenda. MISA made a presentation to the NCC at the beginning of 2009 to justify why the above provisions should be adopted. During the year under review, MISA Mozambique presented government with a model access to information law. More than 300 copies were distributed to members of parliament and relevant institutions, with the Head of State, Armando Guebuza, even requesting a copy of the model law. Similarly, MISA Tanzania, MISA Malawi and MISA Lesotho made presentations and submissions to lawmakers on access to information. MISA Namibia and the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), held joint programs to highlight and ensure that access to information remains a priority on the agenda of legislative reforms. MISA Zimbabwe, as part of the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), pushed for a review of AIPPA and other repressive laws. MISA is hopeful that Zimbabwe’s new government of national unity will work swiftly to amend or repeal laws such AIPPA, the Interception of Communication Act, and Public Order and Security Act (POSA), which represent major stumbling blocks to media freedom. Challenges and drawbacks The passing in Botswana of the Media Practitioners Act in December 2008 was by far the most severe drawback to media freedom in the country and southern Africa in general. The law requires journalists to be registered with the state and imposes a statutory media council. The law has been condemned by the international media rights community for being detrimental to media freedom and the democratic strides for which Botswana is revered globally. The death of President Mwanawasa in late 2008 created a big gap in the campaign for media freedom in Zambia, particularly the right to information. In February 2008, Mwanawasa committed himself to ensuring that the Freedom of Information Bill would go to parliament, six years after it was developed, and be passed into law by the end of 2008. Since President Rupiah Banda came to power in October 2008, government-media relations have grown increasingly fragile with no indication of hope for media freedom. Resources remain a major constraint for running sustained and consistent campaigns across the region. The regional freedom of expression and the right to information campaign can only focus on and roll-out to three or four countries a year, while the remaining countries run their own campaigns with feedback to the regional office. The future One of the major MISA campaigns for the next two years is the adoption of an African Platform on Access to Information at the Windhoek +20 Conference in 2011. The campaign will continue to focus on small one-to-one interventions with top policymakers, while scaling down on bigger meetings like workshops. Not only has the former shown more promise, the latter is expensive and will be minimised until more funding has been secured. Annual Report 2009 15