Swaziland
Key players deliberate
on the issue of local
content in the broadcasting sector.
Access to Information Campaign
MISA Swaziland stepped up its national
campaign for the enactment of the ATI
law in the country. Its first port of call
was the Information and Media Development Directorate responsible for
media laws. The Institute brought to
the attention of the Director, Phesheya
Dube, that the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Bill, 2007 was
gathering dust. He assured the media
fraternity that government had already
engaged a media consultant to review it.
MISA Swaziland turned its attention to
lobbying the ICT Ministry Parliamentary
Portfolio Committee and other MPs to
enact an ATI law. It organised two media literacy workshops for legislators in
May 2016, with a focus on the benefits
of access to information, which has a direct correlation with development. Civil
society actors were also sensitised about
the significance of access to information
for achieving development goals. They
pledged their support for the access to
information campaign.

Safety of Journalists
Concerned about threats to the safety
of journalists, the Institute hosted three
separate seminars for civil society actors,
journalists and editors in June 2016. The

purpose was to create awareness about
the threats to the safety of journalists.
The Resident Coordinator of the United
Nations addressed participants on the
UN Plan of Action on the Safety and
Protection of Journalists endorsed by
the UN agencies in May 2012. As a way
forward, civil society actors committed
to the safety of journalists in the line of
duty. Journalists called for the strengthening of the mechanisms available for
the reporting of threats to the safety of
journalists while editors promised to
raise awareness of the safety of journalists

CONCLUSION
The move to create a media literate society is beginning to bear the desired
fruits. Civil society actors and lawmakers have gained a better understanding
of the benefits of a free, independent
and pluralistic media. The adage: “It is
time to engage not carp” has won MISA
Swaziland the support of the ICT Ministry, Information and Media Development Directorate, lawmakers, civil society actors and media partners
In two years’ time, the Institute intends
to focus on the ATI campaign, media
professionalism and liberalisation of the
airwaves. It will rely on the collaboration of civil society actors, media partners, ICT Ministry Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and Information, ICT
Ministry, and Information and Media
Development Directorate to fast track
the review of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, 2007
and passage of the Swaziland Broadcasting Bill 2016 into law.
In addition, it will step up the advocacy
campaign for media law reform aimed at
repealing or amending archaic and draconian media laws to align them with
the Constitution. A starting point would

So This is Democracy? 2016

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