Reporters Without Borders is the latest international freedom
organisation to criticise Swaziland’s High Court for fining Nation magazine editor Bheki Makhubu for
‘scandalising’ the court.
Makhubu faces immediate imprisonment for two years if he
cannot pay a E200,000 (US$22,000) fine by tomorrow (23 April 2013). Makhubu was
convicted after two articles he wrote criticising the Swazi judiciary appeared
in the Nation magazine.
Reporters Without Borders said in a statement, ‘This
harsh sentence, which violates freedom of expression, was handed down by a
court acting as plaintiff and judge at the same time. We urge the high court to
respect Swaziland’s constitution, which guarantees media freedom.’
Reporters Without Borders joins Amnesty International, the
Media Institute of Southern Africa, Ifex, South African National Editors’ Forum,
Freedom House and the Centre for Human Rights; as well as individual media
houses and political parties in condemning the conviction.
Makhubu told local media he could not afford to pay the
fine. He is expected to appeal the verdict.
See also
EDITOR FINE ‘MEANT TO SILENCE PEOPLE’
EDITOR: ‘SUN SETS ON MEDIA FREEDOM’
FUND SET UP IN BID TO PAY EDITOR’S FINE
NOT FIRST ATTACK ON ‘NATION’ EDITOR
EDITOR’S SENTENCE ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’
EDITOR FACING JAIL TO APPEAL SENTENCE
VOICES SUPPORTING BELEAGUERED EDITOR
A TALE OF TWO SWAZI EDITORS
PUDEMO CONDEMNS EDITOR’S CONVICTION
ARTICLES THAT MIGHT GET EDITOR JAILED
SOUTH AFRICA EDITORS BACK MAKHUBU
HIGH COURT SUPPRESSES MEDIA FREEDOM
MISA: EDITOR’S CONVICTION ‘BRUTAL’
EDITOR’S CONTEMPT SENTENCE ‘SHOCKING’
EDITOR SET FOR TWO YEARS IN JAIL
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