Even so, sporadically the national radio will carry comments by the Minister of Social Communication on news discussed within and outside the country. In numerous such sessions the Minister has criticized private media organisations, especially Radio Ecclesia, accusing it of supporting anti-government guerillas and of being in the service of foreign interests. Radio Ecclesia is currently awaiting government permission to extend its signal all over the country. The situation in Angola can thus be considered as showing little progress. Deepening polarization of the media hinders all developmental attempts. In addition provincial legislatures interference in state-owned communication facilities, leading to an almost propagandist contents in favour of government and the ruler party. Obviously this situation is not exclusive to Angola. There are several other countries worldwide that face the same dilemma, but in the case of Angola there is a great need to eliminate all obstacles that inhibit citizens from experiencing democracy in real terms. Media standards and professionalism As mentioned earlier, a ‘class system’ has developed in the Angolan media in terms of those who have official qualifications from tertiary institutions and those who do not. Furthermore, the absence of a code of ethics creates conflict as there are no guidelines for professionalism among practicing journalists. The only journalist statute is an old-fashioned document which does not respond to the current claims of class representative associations. So This Is Democracy? 2003 18 Media Institute of Southern Africa BOTSWANA LESOTHO MALAWI MOZAMBIQUE At present the government does not have an official spokesperson. The Ministry of Social Communication would normally serve in this capacity. Although there is an office close to the office of the President which disseminates communiqués and press releases effectively, there is no official office where journalists can direct their queries regarding government positions. The access to government officials is therefore problematic and without a “right to answer” from the officials. NAMIBIA As mentioned earlier, a law was passed in 2002 aimed at facilitating access to state information. This law unfortunately does not confer special privileges on journalists. Although the law provides guidelines to access information, journalists are still subject to slow and bureaucratic administrative proceedings. SOUTH AFRICA GOVERNMENT / MEDIA RELATIONS SWAZILAND • Reform of state media organs to realize their public service mandate; • Regulation (registration) of new media organisations; • Editorial independence • Media ownership TANZANIA In terms of contents, the new draft press law results from contributions made by esteemed lawyers and the Union of Journalists. It is one of the few cases in Angola where such an arrangement was made and from the work has resulted a draft of 70 articles, fixed on four basic principles: ZIMBABWE ZAMBIA An independent technical commission is currently reviewing the press law and have to date submitted a proposal to government... By middle February 2004 there was no official announcement about the direction the government intended to take. It is not clear whether the government intends to take it directly to Parliament or first have a public debate. ANGOLA State of the media in Southern Africa - 2003