Conclusões Em 2008 as violações aos meios de comunicação social foram esmagadoras com poucas vitórias conseguidas. Os Media foram hostilizados, ameaçados, censurados e agredidos. Estas violações são uma manifestação de uma sociedade não democrática. O desenvolvimento do país é dependente, dentre outras coisas, dos Media s serem livres para avaliar de forma crítica o funcionamento das instituições públicas. Os Media são a voz do povo e não deviam ser desencorajados a fazer o seu trabalho de reportar e informar a sociedade sem medo. • ALERT Date: May 12, 2008 Person/institutions: Media/ACHPR Violation/issue: Other The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), Pansy Tlakula, lamented the lack of freedom of expression in Africa, saying the enjoyment of this right is in trouble on the continent. Speaking on May 10 at a lunch meeting hosted by the Swaziland chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Tlakula made reference to the situation in the Gambia about which she has written letters of appeal to that country’s leader, Yahya Jammeh. Tlakula also mentioned a letter she wrote to Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe in March 2007 after the arrest and assault of two journalists there. To date, she has not been favoured with any responses. Tlakula called on MISA and other interested organisations to organise a seminar on the role of the media in strengthening an electoral and constitutional democracy. Tlakula said this should prepare journalists and other stakeholders to work together and understand each others’ role during elections. • COMMUNIQUÉ Date: May 14, 2008 Person/institutions: Media Violation/issue: Legislation The government of Swaziland is set to avail five frequencies to aspiring radio stations in the country, the Ministry of Public Service and Information revealed on May 8. This was announced at a media meeting hosted by the Prime Minister of Swaziland, Absalom Themba Dlamini, for media and non-governmental organisation (NGO) delegates attending the 43rd Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in Swaziland. The Prime Minister hosted the meeting after complaints were made by delegates on the state of media development in Swaziland, as well as the respect and enjoyment of media and freedom of expression rights. Responding to a question from MISA on when the broadcast media would be opened to new players, the Ministry of Public Service and Information informed the ACHPR delegates that four frequencies have been designated for radio stations. The ministry also informed the gathering that two Broadcasting Draft Bills are being finalised and will be tabled to Parliament in 2008. The Ministry says these bills, once made into law, would allow more broadcasting players. • ALERT Date: July 4, 2008 Person/Institutions: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Violation/issue: Banned Freedom of expression came under threat when the government banned a march organised by civic organisations protesting rising ritual killings in Swaziland. The government said it feared the march would embarrass both the country and the king, who is currently abroad on a world tour. This has resulted in a standoff between the government and the organisers of the march So This Is Democracy? 2008 -96- Media Institute of Southern Africa