Media Institute of Southern Africa : Promoting Media Diversity . Pluralism . Self-Sufficiency . Independence

MISA particularly expresses its condolences to the wife of President Mwanawasa, Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa, their children, family and the people of Zambia who have lost a husband, a father, a family member and a leader respectively. MISA takes note and appreciates the open door policy of engagement that President Mwanawasa was developing in dealing, not only, with MISA but civic society in general. MISA appreciates the steps that President Mwanawasa had taken to open the media in Zambia, thereby entrench freedom of expression as an inalienable cog for national development.

MISA takes note that under the leadership of President Mwanawasa, Zambia was making steady progress in developing media friendly policies notably the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and the pending Freedom of Information Bill. We pray that these initiatives to improve media freedoms, growth and sustainability would continue under the present government and any that might come in the future. MISA prays that the current leadership in the ruling party, government, Parliamentarians across the political divide continue and finish off the democratic transition agenda with regard to media and freedom of expression issues in Zambia, as a tribute to President Mwanawasa.

President Mwanawasa will be sadly missed not only in Zambia but Southern Africa and Africa at large as he had assumed a leadership role well known for taking uncompromising positions on bad governance and corruption. His stance on the Zimbabwe crisis is well documented and we believe he has left a firm basis upon which to seek a better life for the people of Africa through democratic engagement.

May his soul rest in peace.

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
Tel: +264 61 232975
Tel: +264 61 248016
Email: director@misa.org, communications@misa.org, misaalerts@gmail.com

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