journalistic work, MISA Zambia continued
operating the resource centre with eight
operational computers fully connected to
the internet and some PCs having audio
editing software. MISA-Zimbabwe has
also set up a functioning Resource Centre
with internet access at its office.

IMPACT
The media centre set up by MISAZimbabwe in the March 2008 election
helped the media as it had internet
access and also conference facilities
that were used by civil society to talk
to the media. This helped bring the
media in one place thereby minimising
attacks against journalists. By providing
this service, MISA-Zimbabwe ensured
that the elections were widely covered
hence providing access to information.
The chapter also set-up a media centre
in the city centre during the election
period to enable journalists to be able to
file their stories in a timely manner. The
centre also served as a press conference
venue. A marked improvement in the
coverage of electoral issues was achieved

through this and media workers safety
was ensured as hey operated from one
central location. Approximately 30 local
and visiting regional and international
journalists utilized the centre in a day
throughout the 24hrs that it was open. 5
press conferences were held at the centre.
In Tanzania the focus by MISA-Tanzania
on investigative and corruption reporting
has yielded results with the media
taking an interest in exposing high-level
corruption. The Prime Minister of Tanzania
and several high-ranking officials
resigned as a result media exposure of
their involvement in corruption. Training
on the coverage of HIV-AIDS and Gender
issues has largely improved with the
media in Namibia exposing the abuse of
HIV-AIDS women who are being sterilized
without their consent or knowledge.
The raining that MISA has offered on
investigative journalism at a regional and
chapter level has increased the number
and quality of investigative stories in
places as Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania.

65

Select target paragraph3