Thursday, April 18, 2013

MISA: EDITOR’S CONVICTION ‘BRUTAL’

Media Institute of Southern Africa, Swaziland chapter
Statement 17 April 2013

MISA’s response to Bheki Mahubu ruling

MISA-Swaziland, as a watchdog of media freedom, views Justice Bheki Maphalala’s judgement on the matter between The King and Swaziland Independent Publishers (PTY) LTD and editor of The Nation magazine as a deeply disappointing judgment under Swaziland’s so called democratic Constitution. It is a brutal assault to media freedom and free speech. 

The Nation is the only publication speaking truth to power and is the voice of the voiceless in a country that is fast becoming a police state. The fine imposed by the judge is also a total clampdown on media freedom it sends a strong signal to the already censored newspapers and broadcast media.   

See also

EDITOR’S CONTEMPT SENTENCE ‘SHOCKING’
EDITOR SET FOR TWO YEARS IN JAIL
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2013/04/editor-set-for-two-years-in-jail.html

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