STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 interference both online and offline. As countries in the region prepare for elections, it is pertinent for media houses to adhere to professional and ethical standards and also for States to create a conducive environment for reporting during elections. With the harsh economic climate in most countries and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability is a conundrum that continues to confront the media industry. Efforts should be made to boost funding targeted at the media in order to create more opportunities in the digital environment by enhancing the requisite infrastructure, enhancing digital media skills and adopting the necessary media reforms that promote media freedom. References PRESS FREEDOM UNDER SEVERE STRAIN IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (1) Media Practitioners’ Association Bill of 2022 https://data.misa.org/en/entity/ot69kr97wud?utm_source=Uwazi&page=7 (accessed 10 February 2023). (2) A Harber ‘Botswana Media Practitioner Act is a threat to freedom of the media’ 28 September 2022 Daily Maverick https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-0928-botswana-media-practitioner-act-is-a-threat-to-freedom-of-the-media/ (accessed 10 February 2023). (3) MISA Lesotho: ‘Elections working environment improves for Lesotho journalists’ 10 October 2022 https://misa.org/blog/elections-working-environment-im- proves-for-lesotho-journalists/ (accessed 10 February 2023). (4) Committee to Protect Journalists: ‘DRC journalist Pius Romain Rolland Ngoie detained since December over criminal defamation complaint’ 11 February 2021 https:// cpj.org/2021/02/drc-journalist-pius-romain-rolland-ngoie-detained-since-december-over-criminal-defamation-complaint/ (accessed 9 February 2023). (5) African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information for Africa (2019) principles 21 & 22.(accessed 9 February 2023). (6) International Press Institute: ‘Journalists in Somalia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria faced increasing attacks in October’ 25 November 2022 https://ipi.media/ipi-africa-monitoring-journalists-in-somalia-zimbabwe-and-nigeria-faced-increasing-attacks-in-october/ (accessed 10 February 2023). (7) International Press Institute: ‘Malawi: Arrest of investigative journalist and hacking of website threaten press freedom’ 6 May 2022 https://ipi.media/malawi-arrest-of-investigative-journalist-and-hacking-of-website-threaten-press-freedom/ (accessed 10 February 2023). (8) M Kalumbi ‘Malawi Police arrest Investigative Journalist Gregory Gondwe’ 5 April 2022 Malawi24 https://malawi24.com/2022/04/05/malawi-police-detain-investigative-journalist-gregory-gondwe/ (accessed 12 February 2023). (9) M Kalumbi ‘Malawi Police arrest Investigative Journalist Gregory Gondwe’ 5 April 2022 Malawi24 https://malawi24.com/2022/04/05/malawi-police-detain-investigative-journalist-gregory-gondwe/ (accessed 12 February 2023). (10) South African National Editors Forum: ‘SANEF condemns cyberbullying of City Press Journalist’ 26 April 2022 https://sanef.org.za/sanef-condemns-cyberbullying-of-city-press-journalist/ (accessed 12 February 2023). (11) A Patrick ‘Cease and desist: Carl Niehaus gets lawyer’s letter after ‘inciteful’ Twitter attack on News24’s Karyn Maughan’ 5 Novemer 2022 News24 https://www. news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cease-and-desist-carl-niehaus-gets-lawyers-letter-after-inciteful-twitter-attack-on-news24s-karyn-maughan-20221105. See also the tweet with the insult at https://twitter.com/niehaus_carl/status/1588378682477142016 (accessed 12 February 2023). (12) MISA Lesotho: ‘Elections working environment improves for Lesotho journalists’ 10 October 2022 https://misa.org/blog/elections-working-environment-im- proves-for-lesotho-journalists/ (accessed 12 February 2023). (13) African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information for Africa (2019) principles 20. (14) L Ndebele ‘Mozambique’s ‘repressive’ Anti-Terror Bill threat to journalists - media organisations’ 8 June 2022 News24 https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/ mozambiques-repressive-anti-terror-bill-threat-to-journalists-media-organisations-20220608 (accessed 15 February 2023). (15) SABC News: ‘eSwatini authorities declare label journalist a ‘terrorist’’ 3 July 2022 Youtube (16) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_92RGjihzFY (accessed 15 February 2023). (17) S Dlamini ‘PM Condemns Senseless Killings, Arson’ 27 June 2022 Eswatini Observer https://new.observer.org.sz/details.php?id=18439 (accessed 15 February 2023). (18) Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Limited and another v Christine Reddell and others (CCT 66/21) [2022] ZACC 37 https://collections.concourt.org.za/bitstream/ id/62058/[Revised%20Judgment]%20CCT%206621%20Mineral%20Sands%20Resources%20(Pty)%20Ltd%20and%20Others%20v%20Reddell%20and%20Others%20 (PDF).pdf (accessed 15 February 2023). (19) UN Human Rights Council: I Khan ‘Reinforcing media freedom and the safety of journalists in the digital age’ 13 June–8 July 2022 para 43-50 https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G22/323/44/PDF/G2232344.pdf?OpenElement (accessed 15 February 2023). (20) Amabhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism v. Minister of Justice and Correctional Services https://globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu/wp-content/ uploads/2019/10/RICA.pdf (accessed 15 February 2023). (21) SANEF: ‘SANEF Welcomes Minister Lamola’s Comments On The Protection Of Whistle-Blowers And Sources Of Journalists’ 14 February 2023 https://sanef.org.za/ sanef-welcomes-minister-lamolas-comments-on-the-protection-of-whistle-blowers-and-sources-of-journalists/ (accessed 22 February 2023). (22) Media Institute of Southern Africa (Zimbabwe Chapter): ‘Media 2022 Accreditation Fees set’ 3 April 2022 https://zimbabwe.misa.org/2022/04/03/media-2022-accreditation-fees-set/ (accessed 23 February 2023). (23) Media Institute of Southern Africa (Zimbabwe Chapter): ‘Media 2022 Accreditation Fees set’ 3 April 2022 https://zimbabwe.misa.org/2022/04/03/media-2022-accreditation-fees-set/ (accessed 23 February 2023). (24) Government of South Africa: ‘Communication & information services to media’ https://www.gcis.gov.za/content/services/for-media (accessed 23 February 2023). (25) Club of Mozambique: Researchers denounce “strategies” to deny international press access in Mozambique 7 May 2021 https://clubofmozambique.com/news/ researchers-denounce-strategies-to-deny-international-press-access-in-mozambique-191276/ (accessed 23 February 2023). 24