Civil society organisations lAdvocate for legal reforms: Civil society organisations should advocate for comprehensive legal reforms aimed at protecting and promoting freedom of expression. and regulation will foster trust and credibility, thereby elevating the environment for freedom of expression. Media lEnsure editorial independence: Media outlets should prioritise and uphold editorial independence, safeguarding journalists’ autonomy in reporting. This includes lobbying for the repeal of restrictive laws and the adoption of legislation that strengthens the rights of journalists and media practitioners. Editorial policies should be transparent and free from undue influence, allowing journalists to freely express diverse perspectives without fear of reprisals. lProvide legal support and training: Offer legal support and training to journalists and media organisations to navigate legal challenges related to freedom of expression. Equipping journalists with the necessary legal knowledge and resources will empower them to assert their rights and defend themselves against censorship and harassment. lInvest in digital literacy programmes: Media organisations should collaborate to develop and implement digital literacy programmes aimed at empowering citizens to critically engage with online content. These recommendations, if implemented collaboratively by the government, media, and civil society organisations, have the potential to address the challenges identified in the report and foster a more conducive environment for freedom of expression in Angola. By fostering media literacy skills, individuals can discern between credible information and disinformation, promoting a more informed public discourse. References 1. Africa News “Re-elected Angolan president, João Lourenço, vows to press ahead prison for rape] https://ambaquista.com/jornalista-david-diogo-da-tv-zimbo-con- with changes” https://www.africanews.com/2022/08/30/re-elected-angolan-presi- denado-a-cinco-anos-de-prisao-por-estupro/ dent-joao-lourenco-vows-to-press-ahead-with-changes/ 16. International Service for Human Rights “Urgent appeal on the NGO draft law 2. Paradigm Initiative “Promoting Freedom of Expression in Angola” https://para- in Angola” https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/urgent-appeal-on-the-ngo-draft-law-in- digmhq.org/promoting-freedom-of-expression-in-angola/ angola/ 3. Angop “Angola é o único país da SADC sem rádios comunitárias” [Angola is 17. Angola 24 Horas “Começou o processo de venda da TV ZIMBO, Angola Telecom the only SADC country without community radios] https://www.angop.ao/noticias/ e a TV Cabo” [The process of selling TV ZIMBO, Angola Telecom and TV Cabo has sociedade/angola-unico-pais-da-sadc-sem-radio-comunitaria/ begun] 4. DW “Angola: Rádios comunitárias a valores proibitivos” [Community radios at de-venda-da-tv-zimbo-angola-telecom-e-a-tv-cabo prohibitive 18. VOA “Privatização da Media Nova não significa independência editorial” [Privati- prices] https://www.dw.com/pt-002/angola-r%C3%A1dios-comu- https://angola24horas.com/sociedade/item/27742-comecou-o-processo- nit%C3%A1rias-a-valores-proibitivos/a-61635792 sation of Media Nova does not mean editorial independence] https://www.voapor- 5. Freedom House “Freedom in the Word 2023: Angola” https://freedomhouse.org/ tugues.com/a/privatiza%C3%A7%C3%A3o-da-media-nova-n%C3%A3o-signifi- country/angola/freedom-world/2023 ca-independ%C3%AAncia-editorial/7249283.html 6. Freedom House, Op cit. 19. The Committee to Protect Journalists “Angolan authorities charge journalist with 7. Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2023 https://freedomhouse.org/country/ criminal defamation over corruption report” https://cpj.org/2023/09/angolan-au- angola/freedom-net/2023 thorities-charge-journalist-with-criminal-defamation-over-corruption-report/ 8. Angolan National Regulatory Institute for Communications (INACOM) https:// 20. Correio da Kianda “Tribunal adia julgamento do jornalista angolano Daniel Jo- inacom.gov.ao/ao/m nas Pensador” [Court postpones trial of Angolan journalist Daniel Jonas Pensador] 9. Jornal de Angola “Número de utilizadores da Internet cresce no país” [Number https://correiokianda.info/tribunal-adia-julgamento-do-jornalista-angolano-dan- of Internet users grows in the country] https://www.jornaldeangola.ao/ao/noticias/ iel-jonas-pensador/ numero-de-utilizadores-da-internet-cresce-no-pais/ 21. VOA “Justiça manda prender jornalista e antigo agente do Serviço de Informação 10. DataReportal “Angola – Digital in 2023” https://datareportal.com/reports/dig- do Estado condenado a prisão” [Justice orders arrest of journalist and former State ital-2023-angola Information Service agent sentenced to prison] https://www.voaportugues.com/a/ 11. Freedom House, Op cit. justi%C3%A7a-manda-prender-jornalista-e-antigo-agente-do-servi%C3%A7o- 12. Jornal de Angola “Angosat-2 conecta mais de 150 localidades em 16 provín- de-informa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-do-estado-condenado-a-pris%C3%A3o/7284725. cias” [Angosat-2 connects more than 150 locations in 16 provinces] https://www. html jornaldeangola.ao/ao/noticias/angosat-2-conecta-mais-de-150-localidades-em- 22. Ver Angola “Neth Nahara condenada a 2 anos de prisão pelo ultraje a João Lou- 16-provincias/ renço” [Neth Nahara sentenced to 2 years in prison for outraging João Lourenço] 13. Human Rights Watch “Angola – Events in 2023” https://www.hrw.org/world-re- https://www.verangola.net/va/pt/102023/Defesa/37391/Influenciadora-Neth-Na- port/2024/country-chapters/angola hara-condenada-a-dois-anos-de-pris%C3%A3o-por-injuriar-PR-no-TikTok.htmm 14. Reporters Without Borders - Angola https://rsf.org/en/country/angola 23. Aman “Business News - Angola: Police abuse, attacks on press freedom – HRW” 15. Ambaquista “Jornalista David Diogo, da TV Zimbo, condenado a cinco anos de https://www.aman-alliance.org/data/newsDetails.php?id=72656 prisão por estupro” [TV Zimbo journalist David Diogo sentenced to five years in STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 24