Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) which included a call for review of broadcasting license fees to be in Malawi kwacha and not the United States dollar. the right of access to information in the custody of public bodies and relevant private bodies; the processes and procedures related to obtaining that information.” MACRA promised to revisit the legal framework and ensure a conducive environment for broadcasters, the majority of whom are failing to pay the fees and have accumulated arrears. It is in effect an Act that enables the enjoyment of Malawians’ constitutional right to “access information held by the state or any of its organs at any level of government insofar as such information is required for the exercise of his rights.” New legislation However, in 2023, access to relevant information and overall implementation of the Access to Information Act remained problematic forcing some to consider government pronouncements on ATI implementation mere “lip-service,” observed MISA Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga. Ending the year on a positive note, on December 7, the National Assembly passed the Data Protection Bill (11), which seeks to provide a regulatory framework for the processing and transfer of personal data. “There was no adequate funding for the oversight institution, the Human Rights Commission (HRC), to effectively perform its functions as provided for in the Act. The Ministry of Information and Digitalisation also delayed in publishing names of information officers, doing so on December 20, 2023, for the first time since the Act was operationalised in September 2020. All these developments are in direct contrast to the frequent government assurances on access to information, transparency and accountability,” Matonga added. MISA Malawi celebrated the passing of the Bill as it should provide protection of information/ data for Malawians, including journalists and their sources of information, from unwarranted access. Data protection is critical in promoting media freedom and freedom of expression, key rights that MISA Malawi and its sister organisations in the region promote. Access to information In contrast to the years 2020, 2021, and the first half of 2022, President Chakwera’s press conferences stopped in 2023. Malawi operationalised the Access to Information Act in 2020 (12), which “provides for This cessation marked a significant regression in efforts to render the presidency accessible and accountable to the citizens of Malawi. This development occurred despite MISA Malawi NGC’s interactions with the State House press office and subsequent promises regarding the continuation of these briefings. Threats to shift to statutory media regulation A worrying development earlier this year, was the decision of the Media Council of Malawi, during its elective general assembly on January 12, 2024, at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe to take up the idea of being legally constituted through an act. If this idea is taken up and acted upon, the MCM will be established and will operate through an Act of Parliament. According to the Council, the move will strengthen its mandate and authority Golden Matonga, MISA Malawi chairperson, says developments are in direct contrast to the frequent government assurances on access to information, transparency and accountability STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 48