“Media law is meant to make sure that the stories get told, the full stories and as many of them as possible.” Christel and Hendrick Bussiek
The existing legislative environment in Swaziland does little to promote media freedom and, in many instances, actively obstructs it. MISA believes an independent law reform commission would be the best avenue to removing all the unnecessary restrictions on media freedom. Until such an avenue is made possible, MISA calls on the government to:
- Amend the Suppression of Terrorism Act — see Atmosphere of Intimidation report
- Enact freedom of information legislation
- Enact legislation that establishes an independent broadcasting regulator
- Enact a Public Service Broadcasting Act that will see Swazi TV and SBIS transformed into one independent public broadcaster
Relevant Policy and Legislation:
Swaziland Information and Media Policy 2005
Suppression of Terrorism Act No 3 2008
Swaziland Television Authority Act 1983
Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation Act 1986
Useful information:
Hendrick and Christel Bussiek, The Media and the Law Toolbox 1
Article 19, Model Freedom of Information Law
Article 19, Model Public Service Broadcasting Law
Guy Berger, Media Legislation in Africa — a comparative legal survey
misaswaziland.com 