7 SOUTHERN AFRICA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2019-2020 Lesotho journalists on duty CREDIT: SECHABA MOKHETI broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, is accused of being a mouthpiece of the state and of biased reporting (6). The media fraternity and the public, however, remain hopeful that President Lazarus Chakwera’s political regime that came into power in 2020 will positively transform the public broadcaster. Mozambique on the other hand has seen conflicts in the central and northern parts of the country, while the state of the media deteriorated due to arbitrary detentions, assaults, threats against journalists, and media break-ins, attributed to coverage of the conflict (7). Notably, two journalists Amade Abubacar and Germano Adriano were detained in January and February 2019 respectively for allegedly reporting on the conflict in Cabo Delgado province. Journalist Fernando Banze was charged and prosecuted for defaming the president for publishing a letter criticising the president. In April 2020, journalist Ibraimo Mbaruco disappeared and has not been seen since. His last text message to colleagues was that he had been surrounded by soldiers. In Tanzania, free expression and media freedom have been on a decline as a result of the restrictive legal and policy framework (8). The enactment and implementation of several laws including the Media Services Act of 2016; Cyber Crimes Act and Statistics Act of 2015; and regulations such as the Electronic and Postal Communications Act’s online and offline regulations create unfavorable conditions for journalists and media to freely exercise their obligations. The media and journalists have been under constant attacks by powerful individuals and institutions because of their work (9). Suspension of newspapers; imposition of fines on radio and television stations; journalists’ arrest and arbitrary detention; closure of online media; and verbal and written warnings issued to media and journalists have characterized the industry. On 21 October 2020, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority issued a directive suspending bulk short messaging (SMS) and bulk voice calling services from 24 October to 11 November 2020, citing the “adverse” impact they might have on the general elections. Internet throttling and social media censorship in the run-up to the elections were reported.