STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 challenges: economic viability. This challenge undoubtedly impacts media freedom and freedom of expression, as limited financial resources, high operational costs, and limited access to information make it difficult for media outlets to provide quality journalism, investigate and report on sensitive issues, and fulfill their role as watchdogs of society. These factors make the media vulnerable to pressure and intimidation from powerful interests, leading to self-censorship and a lack of critical reporting on sensitive issues. Despite the challenges, there are also encouraging signs of progress. Civil society organisations, human rights groups, and independent media outlets are working tirelessly to promote media freedom and access to information. These groups play a critical role in advocating for policies and laws that protect and promote media freedom, as well as developing the capacity of journalists and media professionals. The establishments of new multi-stakeholder networks and coalitions, among them the Spaces of Solidarity (SOS) Forum. The Forum, comprising 21 member institutions, have committed to address the four thematic issues: shrinking civic space, access to information, cyber security regulation and safety of journalists. References SHAPING A FUTURE OF RIGHTS: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AS A DRIVER FOR ALL OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS — PERSPECTIVES FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA (1) https://bit.ly/3JOiUpz (2) https://bit.ly/3nqOTVk (3) https://bit.ly/3JTRoH6 (4) Angola held General Elections on August 24, 2022 (5) Lesotho held General Elections on October 7, 2022 (6) Entidade Reguladora da Comunicação Social Angolana (ERCA). Critics assert that ERCA was established to police journalistic activity and probe online content providers without adequate judicial oversight, and that it has the authority to suspend or ban websites that fail to adhere to its requirements of “good journalism.” (7) https://bit.ly/414uGmu (8) https://bit.ly/3zylStB (9) https://bit.ly/3K3aWsM (10) https://bit.ly/3Ke11Av (11) https://bit.ly/3U7l34x (12) https://bit.ly/413YnV8 (13) https://bit.ly/40Ij88L (14) https://bit.ly/3UcLsOs (15) https://bit.ly/3GgcgHH (16) https://bit.ly/3KcNDNm (17) https://bit.ly/431UOk5; Circles is reportedly associated with the Israeli spyware maker NSO Group, vendor of the notorious Pegasus spyware system. (18) https://bit.ly/3Ml8r7K (19) Namibia’s ATI law was gazetted in December 2022. Approximately USD1 million has been allocated for its implementation in the 2023/24 fiscal year (20) https://bit.ly/3zx2SeX (21) https://bit.ly/3UbcxBx 16