SNAPSHOT MALAWI I n 2013, MISA Malawi implemented a number of activities, which elevated the status of the chapter generally and specifically highlighted MISA’s advocacy work on media freedom, broadcasting reform, law review, and access to information. Major highlights for 2013 include the following: Decriminalisation of freedom of expression campaign An international delegation comprising the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa Advocate Pansy Tlakula and officials from WAN-IFRA, the Southern African Litigation Centre, the University of Pretoria and MISA Regional attended the campaign launch on 5 February, 2013. Public Lecture on Role and sustainability of Community Broadcasters in Malawi Renowned development communication scholar Dr. Linje Manyozo delivered the lecture, which looked at models for sustainable community broadcasting and how community broadcasters can help in promoting national development. Community broadcasters across Malawi attended the lecture. The Judge Oliver Manyarara Memorial Lecture Professor Edge Kanyongolo, former trustees of MISA, delivered the lecture on the topic: ‘The role of the judiciary in establishing a societal balance between media freedom and a person’s right to their reputation’. At the launch, MISA Malawi was appointed the secretariat of the campaign to decriminalise free speech in Malawi. Led by the Special Rapporteur, the international delegation met with the Principle Secretary for Information who declared that his Government had resolved to be “a government of openness, to support freedom of expression and to support the work of the media to have increased access to information in all its forms”. Awarding journalistic excellence MISA Malawi also worked with the Southern African Litigation Centre and a number of Malawian stakeholders to draft a Bill to decriminalise free speech in Malawi. MISA Malawi trained over 100 journalists in different fields including construction sector transparency and child rights reporting. National consultative conference on broadcasting reform Malawi’s Minister of Information opened the conference, which was funded by Open Society Initiative in Southern Africa (OSISA). Delegates at the meeting adopted a model for broadcasting reform in Malawi with a focus on transformation of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) from State to a Public Service Broadcaster. 38 MISA Malawi awarded over 39 journalists and media outlets for outstanding performance and dedication to the promotion and development of journalism. The awards were given out as part of the celebrations to mark the 2013 World Press Freedom Day. Training and capacity building Lobbying government MISA Malawi met with Her Excellency President Joyce Banda to lobby her government to sign the Declaration of Table Mountain. Campaigning for access to information MISA Malawi continues to act as the secretariat of Malawi’s access to information campaign and has managed to lobby for the adoption of an access to information policy by Cabinet.