(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a 9 May 2001 MISA statement: MISA condemns banning of media in Swaziland The Media Institute of Southern Africa regrets the decision and the action taken by the Swaziland government on May 4, 2001 to prevent the publication of the Guardian of Swaziland newspaper and the Nation magazine. MISA also […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a 9 May 2001 MISA statement:
MISA condemns banning of media in Swaziland
The Media Institute of Southern Africa regrets the decision and the action taken by the Swaziland government on May 4, 2001 to prevent the publication of the Guardian of Swaziland newspaper and the Nation magazine. MISA also regrets the action by the Swaziland Police to seize all copies of the newspaper’s latest edition, thus preventing its circulation.
MISA also notes with serious concern the recent and ongoing high-handed action by the Swaziland Police of harassing and intimidating journalists working for the newspaper and the magazine. In this regard we have learned that on May 1, 2001 the Swaziland Police collected and interrogated the Guardian journalist Thulani Mthethwa and subjected him to a lengthy interrogation.
We also learned with shock that on May 3, 2001 the Police raided, rummaged and searched the offices of the Guardian from Mbabane and on the next day proceeded to intercept the importation of copies of the Guardian’s recent edition en route from its printers in South Africa. We further note that the Swaziland Police continue to withhold the edition.
We regard this move by the government as a deliberate action on the part of the authorities to curtail and hinder the existence of an independent and pluralistic media in Swaziland. Occurring as it does on the occasion of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day and the Windhoek Declaration, we view the government action as contemptuous of the principles of free expression and the media freedoms enshrined in various international instruments and the Windhoek Declaration. The Government of Swaziland has an obligation to adhere to, respect and uphold these ideals.
We, therefore, appeal to the Government of Swaziland to review its position, release the confiscated copies of the newspaper and the magazine and to desist from harassing the journalists working for these media.
Luckson Chipare
MISA: Regional Director
