STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 FOREWORD SHAPING A FUTURE OF RIGHTS: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AS THE DRIVER OF ALL OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS T HE past few years have proven to be tough where it concerns the exercise and enjoyment of media freedom and freedom of expression in the Southern African region. The rise of digital technologies has presented new challenges in terms of the legislative environments in the region. Governments have responded by introducing cybersecurity laws, which instead of promoting freedom of expression and of the media, have had the opposite effect. The COVID-19 pandemic once again gave an excuse for some authorities to promulgate laws that criminalise the publication of false information. But research and extant judgments have shown that criminalising the publication of false information has a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The COVID-19 pandemic should have taught us that the media are key partners when faced with disasters and other critical situations. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and a driver to the enjoyment of all other human rights. With this in mind, it is imperative that respective governments re-commit to ensuring that citizens across the Southern African region enjoy the right to access information and freedom of expression as envisaged by Sustainable Development Goal 16.10. There has been a breathtaking slide in terms of freedom of expression and of the media in the region, which translates to the violation of other rights. Freedom of expression is a driver of all other human rights and if citizens do not meaningfully enjoy this right, it is safe to conclude that other rights are also being violated. 4 The media and journalists play an essential role in verifying and disseminating information. Their role is to create public spheres where ideas are thrashed out and the voiceless are heard. This allows public participation and citizen engagement through platforms where complex matters are broken down to be understood by all. Without a free flow of information, and the role of the media in this effort, cases of malpractice, corruption and human rights violations would remain hidden. This year marks the 30th anniversary since the World Press Freedom Day was first commemorated. It gives us a chance to introspect on whether the region is on track to attain its agreed press freedom goals following the Windhoek Declaration in 1991. Suppose we are not where we want to be; in that case, there is need to engage collectively further to protect press freedom, reaffirm the vital importance of freedom of expression, and shape a future where human rights are at the centre of decision-making at the global, regional and national levels. As UNESCO points out, there are four fundamental freedoms that are outlined in the preamble of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights — these are freedom of speech, freedom of belief, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. It is, therefore, not incidental that freedom of speech comes first: this fundamental freedom is one that enables the exercise and enjoyment of all other rights. It is important to point out that while all human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated; freedom of expression’s