SECTOR 1 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Under former President Bingu wa Mutharika’s rule, which ended with his sudden death in April 2012, journalists, members of civil society organisations and ordinary citizens found it exceedingly difficult to voice their concerns, even in private conversations. Freedom of expression was severely limited due to fear of repercussions, such as intimidation, assaults or arrests from the state. At the same time, there was a growing sense of resistance in the country, evident on radio phone-in shows and in some newspapers, although these commentators protected themselves by hiding behind pseudonyms. “There was fear and intimidation and the government tried to suppress any criticism, but a few brave people continued to speak out.” It was also noted that poor people living in villages were more likely to speak out, than those living in urban areas, because “they have nothing to lose”. This is a marked change compared to life under the conservative Kamuzu Banda regime between 1964 and 1994. This public resistance came to a head with the mass anti-government demonstrations on July 20 and 21, 2011, which were seen as an attempt by concerned citizens to demand economic and political reforms in the country, and they were conducted under very strenuous conditions. A total of 20 people were killed by the police on this day; in Blantyre (2 people), Lilongwe (7), Mzuzu (10) and Karonga (1): 19 from gunshot wounds and one from teargas suffocation. Some 58 people were left injured from gunshot wounds or police beatings. Interestingly, the deaths in Blantyre took place after what appeared to have been a peaceful protest had already ended. After these countrywide protests, civil society organisations tried to organise follow-up demonstrations, but they remained divided and their leaders felt responsible for those who lost their lives. “These 20 deaths were definitely a deterrent to people expressing themselves freely.” The withdrawal of government advertising to the privately owned Nation newspaper, which was seen to be overly critical of the state, also instilled a sense of trepidation in the journalists working there, who avoided reporting on certain issues for fear of repercussions. Just two days before the July 20 protests, suspected supporters of the then ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), burnt two vehicles belonging to the private radio station, Zodiak. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALAWI 2012 13