Freedom of Expression and Right to Information

"Civil society is fundamental in the shaping of the media's responsive role and functions. In fact, the challenges facing the media cannot be isolated from the challenges facing society as a whole. Likewise, its active partcipation in media freedom issues is central to shaping government policies and legislation. Ensuring popular support from the broader civil society will make it more difficult for governments to ignore society media reform initiatives in the longer term." (MISA Strategic Partnership Programme)

Programme Objectives

MISA seeks to promote and strengthen legislation that will protect and improve the implementation of the freedom of expression entrenched in the national constitutions of SADC countries. This includes promoting the rule of law and advocating for a media structure that bolsters democratic institutions. It also entails advocating for a legal framework that creates an enabling environment for free, independent, pluralistic diverse and sustainable media.

The main objective of Programme A is to repeal all legislation that obstructs the media from being independent, pluralistic, diverse and sustainable. The programme also promotes the establishment of a legal framework for the adoption of legislation on the right to information. MISA also seeks to empower civil society with the understanding of the right to information, and the importance of information as a basic need.
The purpose of these actions is to influence public opinion and policymakers regarding the need to engage themselves and to commit themselves to media law reform in the SADC region.

To fulfil this objective, MISA has undertaken a number of activities under this programme during the period 2002-2003

For further information contact Media & Advocacy Officer < This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >