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Alerts - Swaziland

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Swaziland

Authorities crush pro-democracy protest

A planned pro-democracy protest was preemptively dispersed on 12 April through arrests and intimidation by police and military forces.

Swaziland

e.TV journalists detained

Journalist Tumaole Mohlaoli and cameraperson Meshack Dube were detained at a roadblock outside the capital and had their passports and equipment seized.

Swaziland

Proposed law would ban Facebook, Twitter users from insulting monarch

The justice minister proposed the legislation, informing the Senate the government would take a "tough" stance on those who criticise the king via social media and "set an example."

Swaziland

Newspaper prohibited from writing about chief justice

The government has prohibited the "Times of Swaziland" newspaper from continuing to write about Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi.

Swaziland

Businessman seeks closure of newspaper in defamation claim

Boyce Magongo wants the High Court to issue an order directing the "Swazi Mirror" to stop publishing and distributing its copies until they are in compliance with the provisions of the Books and Newspaper Act of 1963.

Swaziland

MISA applauds registration of Media Complaints Commission

The media self-regulatory framework was set up to deal with media complaints and to build a better relationship between the media and the public.

Swaziland

Journalist attacked by singer over critical stories

Timothy Simelane said he was shopping with his wife when he was attacked by gospel singer Mzwakhe Myeni in full view of members of the public who were doing their evening shopping.

Swaziland

Editor challenges prime minister on radio censorship

News editor Welile Dlamini challenged Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini on his assertion that press freedom exists when in fact the authorities regularly instruct the state radio station about its content.

Swaziland

MISA condemns targeting of activists, journalists during pro-democracy protests

According to media reports, riot police fired teargas and water cannons, assaulted demonstrators and confiscated journalists' equipment in an attempt to stop the three-day protests.

Swaziland

Government threatens online activists with prosecution

The prime minister assured Parliament his government would track down and prosecute Gangadza Masilela over his critical Facebook posts.

Swaziland

BBC programme banned for being critical of government

The government has not only banned the BBC programme but has also banned all state media from covering demonstrations and strikes currently taking place in the country.

Swaziland

Victory as Health Ministry opens up to media

Health Minister Benedict Xaba ordered his staff to cooperate at all times with journalists seeking information from the ministry.

Swaziland

Criminal defamation case against "Nation" magazine, editor postponed

A case in which the privately-owned "Nation" magazine and its editor, Bheki Makhubu, have been charged with criminal defamation was postponed until 2011.

Swaziland

RSF adresses letter to prime minister to denounce threats to columnists

Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini suggested that newspapers should be required by law to obtain the government's permission before publishing any column.

Swaziland

Government tightens grip on media

The government has announced a major crackdown on newspaper columnists who criticise the country and its leadership.

Swaziland

Journalist harassed, detained by police

Manqoba Nxumalo had his camera confiscated and was taken by police van to the Manzini police station, where he was briefly detained.

Swaziland

Prince says journalists who "write bad things about the country will die"

Local journalists expressed concern over the comments since Prince Mahlaba is part of an influential council that advises the king on media matters.

Swaziland

MISA condemns attack on journalist at Manzini church service

Church elders harassed journalist Manqoba Nxumalo and confiscated his notebook before ordering marshals to chase him away.

Swaziland

Newspaper banned from publishing political activist's opinions

The "Times of Swaziland" Sunday newspaper has been banned from publishing weekly opinion articles by Mario Masuku, the president of a banned opposition political party.

Swaziland

MISA expresses concerns over the Draft Media Commission Bill

Addressing the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, MISA made a submission on the bill as part of the organisation's contribution to debate on the proposed law.

Swaziland

"Times of Swaziland" journalist threatened during parliamentary session

The Senate president threatened Arthur Mordaunt and accused him of having a vendetta against her.

Swaziland

Journalists assaulted by correctional officers

The journalists were not only assaulted but also had their cameras taken and destroyed.

Swaziland

Political activists arrested for shouting party slogan and wearing party t-shirt

Two political activists were arrested and detained on 18 July 2009 in a move seen by many as further evidence of the Swazi government's crack down on dissenting voices.

Swaziland

"Swazi Observer" journalists harassed by authorities

Journalists working for a government-owned newspaper are being harassed by authorities following a series of stories the newspaper published.

Swaziland

Journalists barred from covering workshop for legislators

Journalists were kicked out of an HIV-AIDS workshop for Swazi parliamentarians on 30 June.

Swaziland

MISA condemns arrest of human rights lawyer

Lawyer Thulani Maseko was arrested on 2 June 2009 and charged under the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938.

Swaziland

Government renews intentions to pilot a new media bill

The Swazi government renewed its intentions to pilot a Media Commission Bill that seeks to regulate the media by statute.

Swaziland

Popular weekly column cancelled

(MISA/IFEX) - A popular weekly column appearing in the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper that was critical of Swaziland's traditional Tinkhundla system of governance - including the leadership of King Mswati III - has been stopped because of what the newspaper claims are structural adjustments of its content.

Swaziland

Senators threaten to charge local media with contempt of Parliament

(MISA/IFEX) - Senators in the Swaziland Parliament have threatened to charge the local media with contempt of Parliament following stories about an altercation between the Senate President and a Senator.

Swaziland

High Court judge dismisses defamation case against "Times of Swaziland" newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 March 2009, the High Court of Swaziland dismissed an E500,000 (approx. US$50,000) lawsuit against the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper.

Swaziland

Newspaper columnist Mfomfo Nkambule fined for criticising king

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 February 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a weekly columnist with the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper, was fined an undisclosed number of cattle by his chief for criticizing King Mswati III in his articles as the authorities continue to harass the writer for his views.

Swaziland

"Swazi Observer" newspaper successfully challenges court decision restricting it from reporting on church leadership dispute

(MISA/IFEX) - On 20 February 2009, the semi-private "Swazi Observer" newspaper successfully challenged a High Court ruling which had restrained the newspaper from reporting on a leadership dispute in the Jericho Church, an indigenous Christian denomination.

Swaziland

Church moves to ban several media outlets from reporting on leadership dispute

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 February 2009, the Jericho Church, an indigenous Christian denomination, moved an application at the High Court of Swaziland to ban the media from reporting on the split that has rocked the Church as a result of a leadership dispute.

Swaziland

Journalist Mantoe Phakathi faces gender discrimination, prevented from covering opening of Parliament; media threatened with sedition charge if they criticise King's address

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 February 2009, Mantoe Phakathi, a female journalist with the privately-owned "Nation" magazine, was harassed and barred from covering the state opening of the Swazi Parliament for no other reason other than that she is female.

Swaziland

Government threatens new publications with closure

(MISA/IFEX) - At least two publications which recently came into the Swazi media scene have been threatened with closure for failure to register with government. By law, all publications in Swaziland, including newspapers and magazines, are required to register with the government. Registration is accompanied by a bond of US$100.

Swaziland

Four radio licence applications disqualified by government regulator

(MISA/IFEX) - The process to award four community radio licences, approved by the Swazi government in October 2008, has plunged into controversy and uncertainty.

Swaziland

Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini assures media houses they will enjoy press freedom

(MISA/IFEX) - Swaziland's Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, notorious for harassing and closing down media houses during his previous term as prime minister between 1993 and 2003, has assured journalists that they will enjoy media freedom during his new term. Dlamini was recently re-appointed by the king - titles only need to be capitalized when a name follows.

Swaziland

Columnist Mfomfo Nkambule continues to suffer harassment as result of his criticisms of the king

(MISA/IFEX) - The harassment of former member of parliament and cabinet minister, now opposition figure, Mfomfo Nkambule is continuing as traditional authorities summoned him to one of King Mswati's palaces where he was threatened because of his critical views on governance issues in Swaziland, the world's last remaining absolute monarchy. On 24 January 2009, Nkambule, a popular weekly columnist who writes for the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper was, once again, asked to stop criticising King Mswati.

Swaziland

Further delays to issuing of radio licences, short-listed radio stations told to reapply

(MISA/IFEX) - Applicants short-listed for the four radio licences approved by the government in 2008 may have to wait longer for the licences. This is because the process may have to start afresh, according to the regulator, the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC).

Swaziland

Court rules in favour of "Times of Swaziland" newspaper in censorship case

(MISA/IFEX) - On 20 January 2009 an attempt to censor the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper failed when the High Court of Swaziland dismissed an application brought by a woman who sought to stop the newspaper from publishing photographs of her.

Swaziland

Pressure groups demand access to state media

(MISA/IFEX) - On 12 January 2009, Swaziland's pressure groups, comprising political parties, trade unions and other civic organisations, petitioned the prime minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, on a number of issues, including access to state media. Pressure groups are currently banned from state media.

Swaziland

Newspaper columnist harassed, apologises to King

(MISA/IFEX) - On 12 January 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a popular columnist with the privately owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper, succumbed to persistent harassment by state police and traditional authorities and publicly apologised to King Mswati III for his recently published series of articles which were highly critical of the king and his leadership style.

Swaziland

Columnist censored, threatened after criticizing the king

(MISA/IFEX) - On 5 January 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a columnist with the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper was censored by state police who interrogated him concerning his weekly articles which are often critical of the king and his leadership.

Swaziland

Journalist attacked, threatened with death

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 December 2008, Ackel Zwane, a news editor for the privately-owned newspaper "The Swazi Observer", was attacked by a knife-wielding man who managed to cut him once, claiming that the journalist wrote negatively about his father, a well-known church bishop in Swaziland.

Swaziland

Journalists prevented from covering traditional ceremony, equipment confiscated by police

(MISA/IFEX) - Journalists covering a recent Incwala first fruits traditional ceremony in Swaziland had it tough as the media reported sporadic incidents where journalists, both local and foreign, were harassed, banned and had their equipment confiscated by the police whilst covering the event.

Swaziland

Security forces threaten to disrupt media workshop

(MISA/IFEX) - On 3 December 2008, state police stormed a MISA training workshop for media personnel and threatened to disrupt it if they were not allowed to monitor it.

Swaziland

CAPSULE REPORT: Anti-terrorism law an excuse to suppress freedom of expression, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an abridged ARTICLE 19 press release:

Swaziland

TV cameraman harassed, camera confiscated

(MISA/IFEX) - Phesheya Sibiya, a cameraperson employed by the privately-owned Channel Swazi television station, was harassed and had his camera confiscated by a traditional group performing "sacred" rituals for King Mswati III.

Swaziland

Critical journalists could be viewed as "supporting terrorists" and arrested, warns attorney general

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 November 2008, Swaziland's Attorney General, Majahenkhaba Dlamini, warned that journalists who report critically against the government would be viewed as supporting "terrorists" and arrested.

Swaziland

Journalists barred from attending meeting on legislators' pay

(MISA/IFEX) - On 29 October 2008, Swazi journalists were kicked out of a meeting in which the newly-elected and appointed Members of Parliament discussed their pay. The journalists had been allowed to cover the earlier discussions, but when the legislators began to discuss their pay, the media was shown the door.

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