The rights to freedom of expression and media freedom are severely restricted in Swaziland.
That was the unsurprising conclusion of an extensive examination of the Swazi media published on Wednesday (23 January 2008).
However unsurprising the conclusion, the report offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of the media in Swaziland in recent years.
The report, called African Media Barometer – Swaziland 2007, reveals that the media environment in Swaziland is still characterised by self-censorship, lack of independence from government, little diversity and competition, no transparent and independent broadcasting regulation, no self-regulation and a lack of professionalism among media practitioners.
The report was produced by the media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Swaziland chapter in conjunction with Frederich Ebert Stiftung. Eight panellists from the media and civil society in Swaziland met for two days in July 2007 to discuss the state of the media in Swaziland.
The panel’s conclusions were overwhelming negative and regular readers of this blog will be aware that I share much of the pessimism of the panellists.
There is too much in the 48-page report for me to discuss in one post, but (for a change?) I would like to share with you some of the positive developments the panellists were able to identify over the past two years in Swaziland.
Positive developments
- The adoption of the Constitution, which guarantees both freedom of expression and media freedom.
- Increased public consciousness of the right to freedom of expression and increased efforts by the media to enable people to exercise their right to freedom of expression.
- The drafting of six new media bills, designed to introduce freedom of information legislation, legislation establishing a public broadcasting corporation and an independent broadcasting regulator, amend the Books and Newspaper Act and replace the outdated Cinematography Act.
- Increased editorial freedom and independence at the state broadcasters, spearheaded by journalists willing to challenge the status quo.
- The resurrection of the media union with the launch of the Media Workers’ Union of Swaziland (MWUS).
- Increased salaries for media practitioners.
Main drivers for positive change
- Government’s change in attitude, making it more open to free media activity, has been an important catalysts for change and is evidenced, for example, by government’s efforts to reform some media laws and provide funds to train journalists.
- Media managers who are determined to bring about industry reform and development.
- MISA Swaziland has been instrumental in many different areas of media development, e.g. facilitating exchange programmes and in-house training for journalists, assisting with the launch of the Media Complaints Commission and voicing opposition to statutory regulation, critiquing the six media bills and conducting media content research.
- The Ministry of Public Service and Information (in particular the Director of Information), which is tasked with implementing the Information and Media Policy and is overseeing the drafting of new media legislation.
- Journalists who are willing to take risks by resisting self-censorship and censorship from the authorities.
Activities needed over the next few years
Despite these ‘positive’ aspects of the Swaziland media landscape, the report remains overwhelmingly negative in its findings. To try to improve the situation the African Media Barometer report suggested the following activities that could happen over the next few years.
- A skills audit should be conducted in all media houses to assess the existing capacity of media practitioners at all levels.
- Skills development opportunities for working journalists should be increased, both in-house training as well as enrolment in external part-time and full-time courses.
- On-the-job training and mentorship programmes need to be established in all media houses to ensure entry-level reporters are given sufficient direction and guidance.
- Civic education on freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom needs to be conducted by the media and civil society organisations.
- The law reform process needs to be launched to ensure all media unfriendly laws are repealed or amended to conform to the Constitution. The establishment of a law reform commission should be fast-tracked.
- A national conference on law reform should be conducted to produce an action plan and way forward on the law reform process.
- The consultation process on the six draft bills needs to continue with a new consultant and should include a broader base of stakeholders.
The AMB report is published by MISA – Swaziland and available from its office.
MISA hopes to put the report on its internet site sometime soon.
See also
SWAZI GOVERNMENT HITS ITS CRITICS
UNREALITY OF SWAZI MEDIA FREEDOM
MEDIA AND GOOD GOVERNACE
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