The Swaziland constitution that came into force in 2006 and ‘guarantees’ freedom of the media has had no real effect.
This is a major conclusion of my latest academic research article just published.
Before the constitution was passed there were more than 30 anti-media laws in existence in Swaziland and although the constitution should have made these obsolete, in effect, they remain in force.
These anti-media laws make the environment hostile for the media. The laws and the general cultural climate in Swaziland leads to lack of growth in the media industry, harassment and intimidation, strained relationships and mistrust between government and the media, weakened media organisations and lack of professionalism.
Certain cultural values continue to foster a climate of silence, in which those in authority are not questioned. These limit the freedom of the media to engage in important debates, for example about what may be done to tackle the kingdom’s high levels of poverty and HIV AIDS, spiralling corruption, poor economy and lack of international confidence.
Experiences to date suggest that the ruling elites in Swaziland have no interest in change. At present they control access to most of the media in
The research published in the latest edition of Global Media Journal (Africa edition) is available free of charge by following this link.
Press freedom should be specifically provided for in the constitution for the practitioners to be able to carry out their responsibilities without fear of intimidation. Government, on its part, would argue that the security of the nation is paramount and supersedes the right of the public to know. Freedom of the press comes with responsibility and no special constitutional provision for press freedom is necessary as it must be subsumed in a general provision for freedom of expression provision.
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Angelinjones
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