MISA-Swaziland letter to the Swazi Observer By Vuyisile Hlatshwayo, MISA-Swaziland National Director Monday 27 May, 2013 In his column IN THE BLUE CORNER (13/05/2013), Swazi Observer managing editor Mbongeni Mbingo branded MISA a brandy in a coke can; a throwback to the premier’s description of Sive Siyinqaba in the 1990s. Undeniably, The Nation is my brainchild.Continue reading “MISA sets record straight with Swazi Observer editor”
Tag Archives: media freedom
MISA applauds launch of African media freedom campaign
Media Institute of Southern Africa, Regional Office, Namibia Statement, 21 May 2013 The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) congratulates the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on the successful launch of a media freedom campaign across the continent. The campaign was launched in Midrand, South Africa on Wednesday, 15 May 2013. MISA welcomes this long-overdue intervention and pledgesContinue reading “MISA applauds launch of African media freedom campaign”
Support pours in for editor threatened with jail
MISA-Swaziland Alert-update 22 April 2013 Support continues to pour in for Bheki Makhubu, an editor in Swaziland who was recently threatened with a two-year jail term for “scandalising the court”. Makhubu was ordered to pay Emlangeni E200,000 (approximately US$21,500) or face two years in prison by Justice Bheki Maphalala last Wednesday, 17 April 2013. MakhubuContinue reading “Support pours in for editor threatened with jail”
Wave of support for embattled Swazi editor
MISA-Swaziland Analysis 22 April 2013 The Media Institute of Southern Africa in Swaziland (MISA-Swaziland), a press freedom NGO, is encouraged by the number of voices supporting embattled editor Bheki Makhubu, who last week was told by the high court to pay E200,000 ($US21,000) within three days or else go to jail for two years. Makhubu,Continue reading “Wave of support for embattled Swazi editor”
Editors’ forum condemns possible 2-year jail term for scribe
MISA-Swaziland Alert-update 18 April 2013 The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) has condemned a possible two-year jail term or US$20,000 fine imposed on Bheki Makhubu, an editor, by the courts in Swaziland. Makhubu edits one of Swaziland’s few independent sources of news, The Nation magazine, published by Swaziland Independent Publishers. The magazine was found guilty of “contemptContinue reading “Editors’ forum condemns possible 2-year jail term for scribe”
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?”
African Media Barometer, 2005-2009
Every two years a panel of media and civil society representatives assess the media landscape using an African-specific measurement system, the African Media Barometer (AMB). 2009: Freedom of expression and of the media are guaranteed in the Swaziland Constitution, which came into effect on 8 February 2006. However, the constitution includes claw-back clauses that take away the rights toContinue reading “African Media Barometer, 2005-2009”
Censorship in Swaziland’s Media, 2006
There is a long history of censorship of the media in Swaziland. Some of this censorship we know about because it has become public in some way. But there is suspicion that a lot of censorship is taking place that we do not know about. There have been unsubstantiated reports about the existence of censorship,Continue reading “Censorship in Swaziland’s Media, 2006”
Media in Africa: 20 years after the Windhoek Declaration on press freedom
The Windhoek Declaration was agreed upon at a UN-sponsored seminar, ‘Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press’, held in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, in 1991. It was later endorsed by the UNESCO general conference. The Declaration defines an independent press as that which is ‘independent from governmental, political or economic control or from control of materials andContinue reading “Media in Africa: 20 years after the Windhoek Declaration on press freedom”
Coverage of Democracy in the Swazi Press
Research project, 2011 This study sought to analyse the extent to which the Swazi press are able to encourage good governance and contribute to the realisation of democracy. Most reporting was found wanting. In the daily newspapers, the dominance of uncritical, event-based reporting that was over-reliant on government voices put the agenda-setting power firmly in the hands ofContinue reading “Coverage of Democracy in the Swazi Press”
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