freedom

The role of the media during elections

“Free and unfettered inquiry is the foundation upon which our first world status will be built.” Phakama Shili, advocacy officer at Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland), writes a weekly column for Swazi Observer. The column, ‘Constitutionally Speaking’, considers human rights and the quest for democracy in Swaziland. Read on for this week’s article on the role ofContinue reading “The role of the media during elections”

Suspended editors reinstated

MISA-Swaziland Alert 26 March 2013 The board of directors at the Swazi Observer Newspaper Group have reinstated controversially suspended editors, Alec Lushaba and Thulani Thwala. The reinstatement comes eight months after the pair was suspended by then managing director of the group, Alpheous Nxumalo, for allegedly not following the founding mandate of the newspaper group.Continue reading “Suspended editors reinstated”

Access to information and studying journalism in Swaziland – both difficult

MISA-Swaziland Analysis 21 February 2013 The Media Institute of Southern Africa in Swaziland heard that His Majesty’s government recently labeled journalism a ‘non-priority area’. Journalism and mass communication students at the University of Swaziland, it follows, would no longer receive any financial assistance from the government. In the past journalism students might be eligible forContinue reading “Access to information and studying journalism in Swaziland – both difficult”

Broadcasting legislation enters Swazi parliament – good news or bad?

MISA-Swaziland Analysis 7 March 2013 Minister of information, communication and technology, Winnie Magagula, tabled the Swaziland Broadcasting Bill 2013 and the Swaziland Broadcasting Corporation Bill 2013 in the Senate on Wednesday 6 March. The Bills are now expected be discussed by parliamentary committees who, it is understood, will seek consultation from anyone interested in theContinue reading “Broadcasting legislation enters Swazi parliament – good news or bad?”

Moves to merge Swaziland’s state-controlled broadcasters

MISA-Swaziland Alert 25 February 2013 Cabinet has approved draft legislation that intends to convert Swaziland’s two state-broadcasters into one national broadcaster, according to local media reports. The Swazi Observer, a state-owned daily, says cabinet passed the Swaziland Broadcasting Corporation Bill 2012 and the Swaziland Broadcasting Bill 2010 on Thursday, 21 February 2013. The Broadcasting CorporationsContinue reading “Moves to merge Swaziland’s state-controlled broadcasters”

Banned political party criticizes State newspaper group executive

MISA-Swaziland Alert-update 21 January 2013 The Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), a banned political party in the kingdom of Swaziland, has spoken out against the managing director of the state-owned Swazi Observer Newspaper Group, Alpheous Nxumalo, for suppressing diverse views and violating the Constitution. In a letter published by the Times of Swaziland, the kingdom’s onlyContinue reading “Banned political party criticizes State newspaper group executive”

Senate president insults journalists, threatens censorship

MISA-Swaziland Alert 20 January 2013 Swaziland Senate president Gelane Zwane has insulted and threatened journalists for turning up to a meeting to which they were invited, according to reports in the Times of Swaziland, the country’s oldest privately-owned newspaper. Zwane, who was in attendance at the meeting, held Thursday, 17 January 2013, to prepare for the openingContinue reading “Senate president insults journalists, threatens censorship”

MISA-Swaziland end of year statement 2012

MISA-Swaziland Statement31 December 2012 MISA Swaziland remains committed to its mandate to promote freedom of expression via a free, independent and pluralistic media. As we bring down the curtain on 2012, MISA takes this opportunity to take stock of the media sector. Credit goes to Government for having made progress in media development byContinue reading “MISA-Swaziland end of year statement 2012”

Swaziland still struggling with press freedom – Reporters Without Borders

MISA-Swaziland Analysis 6 January 2013 Swaziland has placed 155th on the Reporters Without Borders 2013 World Press Freedom Index, dropping 11 spots since last year. Reporters Without Borders, a global media watchdog, labeled the small sub-Saharan kingdom as one of “Africa’s predatory censors”. Also earning this tag was Gambia (152on the index), Rwanda (161), EquatorialContinue reading “Swaziland still struggling with press freedom – Reporters Without Borders”