Malawi SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 4, 4, 3 Average score: 2.4 1.6 Public information is easily accessible, guaranteed by law, to all citizens including journalists. ANALYSIS: Access to information is guaranteed by the constitution which obliges the lawmakers to pass an appropriate act. This act is not in place yet. Public information is slowly getting into the public domain through newly-established Public Relations Officers in the various departments. These officers, however, are not required to give any information. They usually use “dilly-dally” excuses. If journalists do manage to lay their hands on state documents, these are leaked by disgruntled civil servants. Even figures on public expenditure are not available to the public. Politicians still operate on a need-to-know basis, a legacy from 30 years of oppression. Access for ordinary citizens is further hampered by the fact that official documents are written in English, a language foreign to the majority of the people. On a positive note, courts of law usually give easy access to their writs. The National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) is currently lobbying for an Access to Information Bill to be passed by parliament. African Media Barometer - Malawi 2006 9