(MISA/IFEX) – On 5 October 2006, the “Times of Swaziland” newspaper was accused of having defamed Parliament and ordered to apologise. A parliamentary committee charged with investigating the newspaper over an article published on 8 March found that the article in question “damaged the dignity and reputation of Parliament”. The report states that “the ‘Times […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 5 October 2006, the “Times of Swaziland” newspaper was accused of having defamed Parliament and ordered to apologise.
A parliamentary committee charged with investigating the newspaper over an article published on 8 March found that the article in question “damaged the dignity and reputation of Parliament”.
The report states that “the ‘Times of Swaziland’ must unconditionally apologise to the Parliament of the Kingdom of Swaziland with immediate effect.”
The article under investigation criticised MPs for their alleged interference in the management of the state radio station, the Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services (SBIS).
The managing editor of the “Times of Swaziland” has defended his decision to publish the article and has said the newspaper will not apologise. Parliament has not yet taken a decision on what will happen to the newspaper in the event it does not apologise.
MISA-Swaziland has spoken out strongly against the position of Parliament on this matter, which MISA perceives to be a blatant attack on freedom of expression. MISA also condemns the parliamentary report which, MISA says, critically undermines the newspaper’s editorial independence.
In addition, MISA-Swaziland reminded the government that its role is not to act as media watchdog, but to uphold the democratic values of freedom of expression, the right to information and press freedom.
