(MISA/IFEX) – As of 4 May 2001, the government of Swaziland has banned the print version of the “Guardian” newspaper from circulating in the country, in the wake of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. The newspaper has been blamed for not fulfilling all the requirements under the country’s media laws, […]
(MISA/IFEX) – As of 4 May 2001, the government of Swaziland has banned the print version of the “Guardian” newspaper from circulating in the country, in the wake of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. The newspaper has been blamed for not fulfilling all the requirements under the country’s media laws, though the paper has indeed met all the requirements. “The Nation” magazine has also been banned.
Police were deployed throughout the country to collect copies of the newspaper and magazine from being sold. Other officers were stationed at Oshoek Border Post to intercept the newspaper before it is brought into the country from Middelburg, South Africa, where it is printed.
The police said that they received an order to confiscate the “Guardian” on the basis that the newspaper was operating illegally. The cabinet decided to ban the “Guardian” at a special meeting on Thursday 3 May, and Minister for Information Mntonzima Dlamini was instructed to convey the decision to the newspaper. The newspaper’s management was called to the minister’s office, where they were told that the newspaper was operating illegally. The minister claimed that the newspaper never complied with all registration requirements. The management team was instructed to cease publishing the newspaper until they complied with the law. Lawyers for the “Guardian” denied the minister’s claim, certifying that the newspaper complied with the law and was in possession of all the necessary papers.
Background Information
The “Guardian” newspaper recently became a target after publishing stories about the king, his queens and the prime minister. Among other stories, one article covered the king’s illness and the rumour that one of his wives had poisoned him. That queen, whose father is the high commissioner for Swaziland, has since gone to London, England, to be with her family.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– urging his government to review the decision to ban the newspaper
– requesting that all confiscated copies of the newspaper be released
– demanding that the harassment and intimidation of journalists from the “Guardian” newspaper be stopped
– asking that the government cease hindering the newspaper’s operations
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:Dr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini
Prime Minister
P.O. Box 395
Mbabane, Swaziland
Fax : +268 40 43943E-mail the prime minister directly through the MISA website with a pre-written letter by clicking: http://www.misa.org/petitions/swaziland1.html
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
