Voters at a polling station in Mozambique Media performance The initial attack involved a virus known as “Gazeta,” which incapacitated the newsroom computers and blocked access to all files. The media landscape in Mozambique is starkly divided between the private and public sectors. Some private media outlets are co-opted by the authorities, yet most maintain a critical stance towards the government. The subsequent attack targeted the newspaper’s LinkedIn page, where the assailant changed the name, login information, and eventually deleted the page, according to the newspaper’s management. This critical perspective is precisely why independent media and journalists often fall prey to governmental assaults intended to stifle their voices. Moreover, the country experienced its first internet shutdown on 11 October, which was election day. Internet service became erratic in the afternoon during voting hours and ceased entirely after the polls closed, precisely when vote tallying commenced — a critical step that could lead to the announcement of results in elections once again marred by allegations of fraud. Service was reinstated approximately one hour later. Conversely, the public sector is under stringent control by the government and the dominant political party, Frelimo. The electoral process of 2023 has once again illustrated the public media’s inclination to support the ruling party. This bias manifests in both the disproportionate STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 60