Programme A: Freedom of Expression and Right to Information (M&E Framework Report for the period April 2003 to March 2004) REGIONAL: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND RIGHT TO INFORMATION Regional Programme Goal Establishment of a region where freedom of expression and the Right to Information are accepted as human rights Regional Programme Establishment of a region where freedom of expression and media freedom is practiced and guaranteed Objectives REGIONAL OBJECTIVE MAJOR ACTIVITIES 1. Repeal repressive legislation through legislative bodies • Botswana • Lesotho • Malawi • Mozambique • Namibia • Swaziland • Tanzania • Zambia 1.1 Lobby parliamentarians and government officials on the need to repeal laws. • Zimbabwe 2. The ASK campaign Establish legal framework for the adoption of Access to information Legislation • • • • • • • Botswana Lesotho Malawi Mozambique Namibia Tanzania Zambia 3. SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (ACTUAL/ACHIEVED) REMARK/COMMENTS • Lobbying and advocacy activities took place in targeted countries. As a result MISA was able to gain commitment by parliamentarians to take up the cause for repealing of laws, The campaign that was launched in Lusaka in Oct 2002 is being implemented at national level. A number of workshops with national MPs took place in Zambia, Swaziland, Malawi and Lesotho. • Production of a media law handbook to be used as an advocacy tool for media law reform process. Printing due in June 15,2004. Launch scheduled for July 2004 MISA is producing a booklet on all repressive legislation in countries in the SADC region. The publication is due, in June 2004. 2.1 Develop the ASK campaign 2.2 Produce advocacy materials for the campaign 2.3 Provide support materials for national chapters 2.4 Pilot the campaign in 7 countries in the SADC region. 2.5 Establish civil-society support networks • The campaign was launched and being piloted in seven countries • Seminars to raise awareness and develop advocacy skills took place, May 2003, 3.1 A study and analysis of the Protocol is completed and being published in a booklet. Compilation of the study and recommendations finalised in June 2003 The ASK campaign is a multi-media campaign that is being implemented through a range of activities at national level, i.e. lobbying, drama, drafting of legislation, public awareness campaigns, etc. In the planning phase chapters ensured that the campaign would respond to national needs. Lesotho has a government -initiated draft bill in place; Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia have a civil society-initiated draft bills in place. Namibia has a cabinet directive which instructs the formulation of an Access to Information Bill. The launching of the campaign to have the protocol amended is conditional on the ratification of the protocol by the required number of state parties. To date 7 countries ratified the protocol and two more are needed. 1.2 Compile media law audits into printable format. August 2003. (Printing due in June 15,2004) MISA Annual Report (April 2003 – March 2004) 27