Thematic research on media and freedom of expression The Regional Secretariat supported national chapters to carry out research on a number of pertinent issues, including the monitoring of elections in Zimbabwe. MISA Zimbabwe produced a pictorial journal titled Walking the Talk on the coverage of women’s voices in the 2008 elections. In January, MISA Zimbabwe launched a journal, Reporting in the Line of Fire, with 12 narratives from journalists who faced the wrath of the law and had particular experiences to share with fellow journalists and the general public. Reporting in the Line of Fire is the first book to be published in Zimbabwe with first person narratives of journalists. MISA Zimbabwe, with the assistance of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), published an analysis following the new trend of arrests and charges using the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The analysis was titled ‘The impact of criminal defamation and insult laws on the right to freedom of expression in Zimbabwe’. A report, the product of a research project on Zambia’s presidential elections, was produced and will be used as an advocacy and training tool by the MISA chapter. The study has further resulted in concerted efforts to set up a voluntary media council, as well as to push for media law reforms. MISA Namibia performed an analysis of the country’s proposed Communications Bill. Work on this is ongoing as the final bill is expected in mid-2009. MISA Namibia’s advocacy efforts have resulted in the issue being taken up by civil society, including human rights lawyers who have stated they would be willing to litigate on this issue. MISA Mozambique produced and launched its now-renowned State of the Media Report in March 2009. African Media Barometer The AMB, an assessment tool for national media environments, was conducted in Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe during 2008. Reports for all the countries have been printed, launched and distributed and are available online at http://www.misa.org/programme/mediamonitoring/ambreports.html The reports were uniform in highlighting the lack of transformation in the broadcasting environment in the southern African region. In addition, they highlighted increasing concerns about media capacity and professionalism. The AMB reports prioritised, in terms of proposed interventions in the national media environments, a need to solidify media and civil society coalitions for greater effect in the campaign for media freedom and freedom of expression. A key result of the AMB project, which has been ongoing since 2005, has been its use by national chapters and civil society in planning and carrying out their activities. In Lesotho, for example, the AMB report was used as the key document submitted to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) secretariat as part of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process. In Namibia, efforts to establish a self-regulatory media body, and possibly a separate broadcasting complaints commission, have received renewed impetus as a result of the national chapter noting the recommendation of the report to prioritise the activity. 20 Annual Report 2009