Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Human Rights NGO complains about media blackout
(MISA/IFEX) – On 15 May 2001, the Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET), a non-governmental human rights organisation, complained about lack of coverage of its activities by the state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), which it attributed to a “decisive scheme” to black it out. AFRONET Executive Director Ngande Mwanajiti said in a […]
Six suspects charged in Cardoso murder investigation
(MISA/IFEX) – Six months after the assassination of Mozambique’s best known journalist and editor of the independent newsletter “Metical”, Carlos Cardoso, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, at the end of its preliminary investigation, has charged six people with the crime According to the Tuesday 22 May 2001 issue of “Metical”, the Public Prosecutor has charged businessman […]
Former Swazi Observer’s workers take company to Industrial Court
(MISA/IFEX) – Former workers of the Swazi Observer Group of Companies are suing the company for unfair dismissal and intend to claim over two million Emalageni (equivalent to R2 million, approx. US$252,878) at the Industrial Court on Friday 25 May 2001. The case has been dragging for over a year. The newspaper was abruptly closed […]
“Nation” magazine wins legal battle but attorney general appeals decision
(MISA/IFEX) – The High Court of Swaziland has set aside the extra-ordinary legal notice banning the “Nation” magazine from publishing and circulating in the country. In his judgement on Friday 18 May 2001, Lordship Judge Jacobus Annandale felt that Minister of Public Service and Information Mtonzima Dlamini was wrong in issuing the blanket ban on […]
Judge declines to issue warrant for journalist’s arrest
(MISA/IFEX) – On 14 May 2001, Cape High Court Judge John Foxcroft declined to issue a warrant for the arrest of former “Cape Times” chief photographer Benny Gool. Gool did not arrive to testify at the trial of five senior Pagad members accused of lynching Hard Livings gang co-leader Rashaad Staggie. Judge Foxcroft pointed out […]
Editor charged with criminal defamation for a second time in one month
(MISA/IFEX) – Geoff Nyarota, editor-in-chief of “The Daily News”, has been charged with criminal defamation for the second time in a month over reports of stories involving President Robert Mugabe’s case filed in the United States (USA), “The Daily News” reported on Thursday 10 May 2001. The charge arises from the publication of stories in […]
MPs demand return of Media Council
(MISA/IFEX) – Following the closure and banning of two newspapers, the “Guardian” and the “Nation”, on 2 and 4 May 2001, respectively, members of parliament (MPs) are now demanding that the Media Council Bill be brought back to parliament for adoption. This is a direct result of a recent article in the “Times of Swaziland”, […]
Photographer will not testify in Pagad trial
(MISA/IFEX) – Former “Cape Times” chief photographer Benny Gool will not testify in the trial of Pagad members, accused of lynching Hard Livings gang leader Rashaad Staggie. The trial that began on 14 May 2001. Speaking from his home yesterday Gool said he had been advised by his lawyers not to testify. “There are two […]