Swaziland
Possible obstacles for further development:
•

Parliament: despite the adoption of the Constitution,
Parliament has demonstrated opposition to freedom of
expression and media freedom, in particular. For example,
there have been two parliamentary investigations into
journalists who criticised public officials or institutions. In
addition, politicians generally assume they ought to sue for
defamation when criticised in the media for the performance
of their public duties.

•

Individual ministries that try to hamper media activity; e.g.
Ministry of Health recently barred journalists from entering
government hospitals.

•

The Media Commission Draft Bill, which is an attempt by the
Ministry of Public Service and Information (MOPSI) to introduce
statutory regulation.

•

The consultation process on the six media bills has been poorly
managed by the consultant and, so far, not included all
stakeholders. Stakeholders who participated and expressed
their dissatisfaction with the draft bills and the consultant
have not been informed by the MOPSI as to how the process
will move forward.

•

The lack of law reform. All 32 media unfriendly laws identified
by MISA Swaziland in 2003 remain on the statute books and
need to be systematically repealed or amended to bring them
into line with the Constitution. However, there is no Media
Reform Commission to spearhead this.

•

Certain cultural expectations (e.g. do not question or criticise
those in authority), which suppress freedom of expression and
media freedom.

46

African Media Barometer - Swaziland 2007

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