Enjoyment of Rights and Freedoms 310. In interactive sessions with stakeholders, participants gave mixed reactions regarding the enjoyment of rights and freedoms by ordinary citizens. Freedom of Expression, Association and Information 311. Many stakeholders felt that freedom of expression is observed, emphasising that there is open governance and the people are given the opportunity to express themselves freely. All citizens have a right to hold and air their own ideas and opinions. It was asserted that, at all levels of governance and in all public forums, people are free to express themselves and enjoy constitutionally protected freedoms. Freedom of association is observed and is manifest in the freedom to affiliate with political parties and form associations. Different religions coexist harmoniously. However, some stakeholders disagreed with this view. 312. Those who disagreed, argued that the government is not “pro-people”, claiming that those who speak out against what is wrong, especially at the community level, are seen as political adversaries. Others reported that some people are afraid to speak openly, as a person who criticises the government consistently may most likely face persecution. These stakeholders argued that poverty is not solved by political party colours and that people should be allowed to criticise the system. Democracy should be participatory despite ideological differences. The CRM observed that, in many areas, those who expressed the view that freedom of expression is curtailed were heckled by the majority present. 313. Most stakeholders agreed that the media in Mozambique articulate issues freely. In particular, there has been excellent coverage of the elections and high-profile corruption cases in Maputo. Radio and television services are provided by the state, as well as those run by the private sector. Newspapers are available both in print and electronically, although circulation to the rural areas is limited. Nonetheless, freedom of information in Mozambique is yet to be fully operationalised pending the enactment of the Law on Access to Information. Sectors of society seeking information for investigative or other purposes are hampered by the absence of this law, because the Official Secrets Law is cited as grounds for the non-release of information. There were reported instances of alleged harassment of individual journalists and, in certain instances, the Anti-defamation Law acts as a gag to suppress the media. The accessibility of the written media will, however, remain limited as long as the problem of illiteracy persists. 314. At the province and district levels, community radio is very effective. In Gaza and Inhambane, for example, three community radio stations and the state radio serve the communities, using local languages and focussing on issues that 120 A P R M COU N T RY R EV IEW R EP ORT NO. 11