that the average monthly cost of broadband internet service would be US$78.48 in 2023. expanding access to offline areas. In 2023, the press was under attack on several occasions throughout the year, as authorities continued to use draconian media laws to repress and harass journalists. In the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2023 Index, Angola is in position 125/ 180, with a score of 48.3. In February 2023, the Angolan government began commercialising AngoSat-2, which was supposed to allow national and international operators to deliver telecommunications services in the country, with the purpose of providing more competitive service pricing and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Political indicator Political indicator Political indicator Political indicator Political indicator 137 163 125 126 104 43.57 31.79 51.21 54.71 60.20 Table 1: Angola — Reporters Without Borders Abuses and restrictions in 2023 lOn 25 May 2023, the 7th ordinary plenary meeting of the National Assembly in Angola voted on a draft law on the status of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). In recent years there have been reports of attempts by the Angolan government to limit the independence of media companies through privatisation processes with State-owned companies monopolising the Angolan media landscape. According to human rights defenders, the draft law violates guarantees contained in the constitution with inhibiting and restrictive clauses that pose a threat to the very existence of NGOs and human rights defenders (HRDs). It seeks to limit the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and shrink the civic and democratic space. Only 20 of the 120 licensed radio stations are privately owned, and only two of them — Rádio Ecclesia, which is affiliated with the Catholic Church, and Rádio MFM — are considered independent. Among other things, the law establishes a supervisory body with the power to dissolve NGOs without recourse to judicial proceedings and prohibits organisations from engaging in “subversive acts or acts that could be perceived as such.” There are three State-owned television networks and a few privately owned ones. In 2020, the government took control of two of the latter — TV Zimbo and Palanca TV. lIn August 2023, the local press reported that the Angolan government would begin the process of privatising companies in the information technology and media sector, including Angola Telecom, Multitel, TV Cabo, TV Zimbo, among others. lOn 17 March 2023, the privately owned Camunda News website chose to suspend it’s operations following months of provocation by the government. The harassment dates back to October 2022 when police from the national criminal unit questioned the outlet’s owner, David Boio about Nelson Dembo, an activist and co-host of the weekly current affairs show “360˚” airing on Camunda News’ YouTube and Facebook channels. It was claimed that the privatised companies need financial resources to operate, but many journalists are suspicious and talk of politicisation as well as lack of transparency in the process. lIn September 2023, Liberato Furtado Pereira was charged with criminal defamation, insult, and forgery for his public interest reporting. Dembo was facing charges that include incitement to rebellion and outrage against the president, and had gone into hiding. STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 According 22 to the Committee to Protect