5 SOUTHERN AFRICA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2019-2020 Photographers scramble to take a picture of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition leader Job Sikhala at Harare Magistrates Court in August 2020 CREDIT: SHEPHERD TOZVIREVA extent of protection of the rights to freedom of expression and access to information online and offline, while Principle 7 calls on states to take specific measures to address the needs of marginalised groups in a manner that guarantees the full enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression and access to information. Further, the Declaration lays out justifiable limitations under Principle 9, and provides for media independence in Principle 12. The Declaration also provides for standards on protection of journalists and other media practitioners under Principle 19, the safety of journalists and other media practitioners under Principle 20, protection of reputations in Principle 21, the right of access to information and procedures therein in Principles 26-36, access to the internet in Principle 37-39, privacy and the protection of personal information in Principle 40 and privacy and communication surveillance under Principle 41, among others, which we will apply to assess the frameworks on freedom of expression and access to information in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Further, this report also makes reference, where practicable, to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16, specifically target 16.10: on ensuring public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. Indicator 16.10.2 records the number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information. (4) In the Southern African region Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Tanzania are yet to enact access to information laws. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, LEGAL AND POLITICAL LANDSCAPE There is a plethora of laws inimical to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom in force in the countries under review. Most countries still have legal and policy frameworks that limit the media’s mandate. In 2017, Angola’s legislature enacted a bundle of laws, dubbed the Social Communication Legislative Package, 2017, as amended, including the Broadcast Law, Television Law, Journalist Code of Conduct and the Press Law, aimed at advancing media freedom and freedom of expression. The bundle of laws establishes the Social