These proposals are undeniably restrictive to media operations and grant the government authority to regulate journalists, such as by controlling the issuance of press cards. The access to information principles contained in national law are also framed around point 16.10 of SDG, which states the need to ensure public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. For the third consecutive year, Mozambican authorities postponed the discussion on these reform proposals in 2023. The government submitted the Bills to Parliament in 2020; however, they do not support media freedom or freedom of expression. Consequences The rise of authoritarianism has a serious influence on journalistic activity. In fact, the result of this hostile environment continues to reverberate in the sector, undermining the exercise of free and independent journalism. Consequently, MISA Mozambique and other stakeholders engaged with Parliament to demonstrate how the proposed legislation failed to satisfy constitutional standards. As a result, discussions on the proposals have been deferred since 2020. Many journalists have been afraid to exercise their watchdog role, which can spur increasing levels of bad governance and corruption. Journalists’ fear of producing investigative reports, especially in conflict zones, remains high. In early 2023, there was an expectation that the proposals might finally be addressed, taking into account the feedback provided by relevant stakeholders, particularly MISA Mozambique. Despite being scheduled for the session, the proposals were once again not discussed. Journalists in Cabo Delgado have expressed how that fear pervades not only their ranks, but also their information sources. Cyberattacks and internet shutdowns This fear manifests in the difficulty of engaging sources to discuss issues related to the conflict in that province. Such a situation is unsurprising. In the face of murders, physical and psychological assaults, intimidation, repression, restrictions on demonstrations, and harassment of journalists and activists, as witnessed in 2023, one can anticipate grave repercussions for press freedom and freedom of expression. As internet access and the use of digital spaces increase in Mozambique, so too do the threats online. It appears that adversaries of press freedom are extending their reach into these spaces to intimidate journalists. Cyberattacks have emerged as a new form of censorship in the digital realm. These freedoms are essential to democracy. Moreover, this outcome seems inevitable in a context where impunity for crimes against journalists is on the rise, met with apparent indifference from the authorities. In 2023, at least four media outlets in Mozambique experienced cyberattacks. The first incident occurred in April when TV Sucesso’s page vanished without explanation, leaving over a million followers unable to access the station’s content. Legal environment still unpredictable In that same month, Grande Media TV, an online broadcaster with approximately 20,000 followers, had its Facebook page compromised. One of the primary concerns that the media sector in Mozambique has faced over the past four years is the uncertainty surrounding the reform proposals for media and broadcasting laws. The perpetrators altered the name, location, profile images, map, and login details of the page. The Profundus newspaper, located in Nhamatanda district, Sofala province, central Mozambique, encountered two notable cyberattacks on May 29. The predominant issue is that the draft laws subject the press to significant informal government control and political interference. 59 STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023