Comprising the visiting delegation were MISA's
Chairperson Bon’sile Dlamini, National Director Comfort
Mabuza, NGC members S’bongiseni Mamba and Sazikazi Hlophe.
Accompanying the MISA delegation was the president of the Swaziland
National Association of Journalists (SNAJ), Sihle Mavuso. Accompanying
the Minister was the ministry's Principal Secretary Hlomani Mahluza,
Director of Information Martin Dlamini and Acting Director of
Computer Services Sipho Vilakati.
The visit was made in line with MISA's advocacy strategy to build
relationships with key partners and lobby politicians and key
policy makers on issues of human rights, namely freedom of expression.
Several pertinent media issues were brought to the Minister's
attention and discussed. These included the now controversial
Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 and how it affects the media,
the process of finalizing six media bills related to some unfriendly
media laws, progress in the operationalization of the Media Complaints
Commission (MCC), and the recent liberalization of the airwaves,
particularly the process of radio license granting.
The MISA Chairperson congratulated the Minister on her new appointment
noting that it, however, comes with a responsibility, a responsibility
MISA is keen to assist in fulfilling.
“
MISA is a regional organization that advocates for freedom of
expression and media diversity and pluralism,” Dlamini
told the Minister.
“
We believe that an environment where people are able to freely
express their opinions and where there is diversity of those
opinions and their sources, results in an informed citizenry.
Information is power as they say.
“
Therefore an informed citizenry has the power to contribute to
the growth and development of its nation. MISA Swaziland is thus
committed to this cause and hopes to work with government in
its realization,” she added.
As she highlighted some of the issues threatening media development
in Swaziland, Dlamini cited MISA's desire for transparency
in the appointment of executive boards that govern media organizations,
especially the boards of state broadcasters such as the Swaziland
Television Authority (STVA).
“
We request that government should involve the public in this
process and make it transparent so that there is fair representation,
for women to be elected for instance, which is in line with government's
policy for balanced gender representation in leadership. This
transparency will also ensure that those who eventually occupy
office are people of integrity who will not protect their own
interests but rather the interest of the public and that of media
development in Swaziland,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini further highlighted that media workers welfare, especially
the issue of wages, is unprotected by media policy yet this
is necessary for the development of the sector.
“
We ask, minister, that a fair minimum wage standard be set for
media workers and incorporated in the Wages Act in order that
media workers may be remunerated according to the improved standards
of training that they now have.
This will ensure that professionals are retained in the industry
and that the quality of media delivery improves,” she observed.
Following a brief on the progress of the MCC is currently in
its registration process, the SNAJ Chair expounded on the issue
of the Terrorism Act. He requested the minister to plead for
its review to the legislature on behalf of media organizations.
“
The law contains a section that is threatening to media organizations,
preventing them from fulfilling their mandate to report freely
and inform the public on issues of national interest. As it is,
the document has vague terms that can be widely interpreted and
is generally open-ended. Hence we ask you as the head of the
ministry under which our industry is protected to represent us
in this regard,” Mavuso said.
Mavuso also mentioned the high government bond fee imposed
on media investors, asking that the minister also request for
its
reduction.
“
The E15 000 bond discourages media investors from venturing into
the industry because beyond it they still have high capital costs
to raise.
“
Overall it becomes too expensive to start the business. Ultimately
the industry does not grow as there is no diversity,” Mavuso
said.
In turn, the minister welcomed the suggestions and concerns
presented expressing a desire for another meeting at a later
stage for
fuller discussion of the issues.
“
We need to meet so that we can plan, identify priorities, set
objectives and be clear on what we seek to achieve. Government
and all the departments under my ministry are committed to issues
of media development in the country. I have an open door policy
and you are always welcome,” she extended.
Rashweat Mukundu
Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring
MISA Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: + 264 61 232 975
Fax: +264 61 248016
Mobile: +264 813 675 362
E mail rashweat@misa.org, misaalerts@gmail.com
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