It is an open secret that a culture of secrecy still exists within the government and public institutions. As a result, public complaints of lack of access to information held by government and public entities abound.
Tag Archives: swaziland
MISA Swaziland condemns detention of two journalists in Qatari embassy
On 6 October 2018, two senior journalists from the Times of Swaziland were held hostage at the Qatar Embassy in Ezulwini Valley.
MISA condemns violent conduct against journalists
Jointly with the Swaziland Media Consortium (SMC), MISA Swaziland strongly condemns the common violent conduct against media practitioners in line of duty.
MISA-Swaziland welcomes release of Bheki Makhubu and Thulani Maseko after 15 months in jail
Swaziland’s Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland) welcomes the release of editor Bheki Makhubu and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko. The two were acquitted by the Supreme Court of Swaziland yesterday, 30 June 2015, after serving a year in jail in an unprecedented case which has seen the tiny kingdom drawing attention from several regionalContinue reading “MISA-Swaziland welcomes release of Bheki Makhubu and Thulani Maseko after 15 months in jail”
‘Judiciary can make positive contribution to press freedom’, says Dr Fidelis Kanyongolo
“In the defamation laws of most countries, a court will not find a person or organisation that is sued for defamation liable if he, she or it proves that the alleged defamation was true in fact.” – Dr Fidelis Kanyongolo Mbabane, Swaziland, 2015 On May 3 2015, to mark World Press Freedom Day, Swaziland’s MediaContinue reading “‘Judiciary can make positive contribution to press freedom’, says Dr Fidelis Kanyongolo”
‘Human rights belong to everyone – 365 days of the year’, says MISA on Human Rights Day 2014
10 DECEMBER 2014, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) today joins human rights advocates and citizens around the world in celebrating Human Rights Day. December 10 is an occasion to celebrate human rights victories over the past year and to focus attention and pressure on our governments to address human rightsContinue reading “‘Human rights belong to everyone – 365 days of the year’, says MISA on Human Rights Day 2014”
Defamation Pay Day: Swazi politician wins biggest defamation case in kingdom’s history
MISA-Swaziland | Media Alert December 8, 2014 Senate President Gelane Simelane-Zwane has won E550,000 ($50,000) in a controversial defamation case against the country’s only privately-owned daily newspaper, reports local media. Simelane-Zwane, who is also acting chief of KoNtshingila, sued the Times of Swaziland over an article it published about Simelane-Zwane’s birth name. The article inContinue reading “Defamation Pay Day: Swazi politician wins biggest defamation case in kingdom’s history”
Swazi journalist to spend Christmas in jail after judge denies bail
MISA-Swaziland | Media Alert December 6 2014 Respected journalist Bheki Makhubu was refused bail by controversial judge Mpendulo Simelane at Swaziland’s High Court on December 5 2014. “I find that the applicant has woefully failed to convincingly establish the requisite exceptional circumstances to warrant his release on bail pending appeal,” said Simelane reading his rulingContinue reading “Swazi journalist to spend Christmas in jail after judge denies bail”
Taking stock of the media in Swaziland – MISA partners with UNESCO on media development research
MISA-Swaziland | Research November 18 2014 The below article was originally published on UNESCO’s In Focus news-site. Freedom of expression was at the heart of discussions at a UNESCO-supported round table on assessing the media landscape in Swaziland, which took place in Mbabane on 30 October. The round table, organized by the Swaziland Chapter ofContinue reading “Taking stock of the media in Swaziland – MISA partners with UNESCO on media development research”
‘Freedom of expression under siege in Swaziland’ – report
MISA-Swaziland | ResearchAugust 13 2014 A new piece of research by a Masters student at the University of Pretoria says Swazi “citizens cannot freely express themselves on issues involving the government and the monarchy because of fear of being harassed by the authorities”. Kudzani Ndlovu, who is studying at the University’s centre for human rights, completedContinue reading “‘Freedom of expression under siege in Swaziland’ – report”
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