Programme E: Programme E: Legal Support Programme E focuses on MISA’s Legal Defence Fund. The strategic aim of Programme E is to support media organisations and journalists with legal fees and advice in times of need. This support is done on the basis that most cases brought against the media are motivated by the desire to silence the media. Without outside support, media and freedom of expression rights can be violated under the guise of legal suits. This programme works closely with Programme B especially the SADC Journalists under Fire Campaign. In the year under reporting, MISA assisted a number of media organisations and journalists who faced legal challenges. In some environments as Zimbabwe the continued arrests of journalists also means that MISA has to take a leading role in strategic litigation to forestall future arrests and harassment. INTERVENTIONS Thabo Thakalekoala who stood accused of sedition. The cases ended with a victory as he was fined an insignificant amount of money and received a suspended sentence. In Zimbabwe MISA-Zimbabwe assisted 19 media workers with legal fees and legal representation. Key cases included that of Journalists Franck Chikowore who had charges drooped after spending weeks in police custody, Journalists Brian Hungwe was assisted by MISA-Zimbabwe to challenge the constitutionality of a law barring him for working for a foreign media organisation. This case was won in court meaning that other journalists were saved this ordeal. In Zimbabwe MISA also mobilised support for arrested journalists Addrisson Manyere. In Zambia three cases were settled with the support of the MISA-Zambia Media Legal defence Fund. In Malawi two cases were supported under the Media Defence Fund. In Lesotho MISA succeeded in supporting its former chairperson and broadcaster, 67