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Media In Swaziland

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This paper aims to set out the state of media and freedom of expression in the Kingdom of Swaziland and suggestions of analytic approach the issue of lack of freedom of speech by the media. Freedom of expression of media has been a topic of discussion for many years. The issue of freedom of expression of media is of great concern in the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland hence the motivation to write about freedom of expression. Swaziland being a member of the United Nations (UN) and established democracy, we expected respect of the freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is one of the human rights enriched in the international Human Rights law. The law states that “ Everyone have a right to express ideas, views and personal opinions through a desired …show more content…

Swaziland being a small country has two television stations, two newspapers and two radio stations. In addition, only one television station and newspaper that are not state owned. The other newspaper, Times of Swaziland is private owned still operate under strict self-censorship, especially when reporting about the king. The other paper, the Times of Swaziland, has come under increasing pressure. Authorities have summoned its editors or journalists several times to meetings with the Head of State. As a result, certain weekly columns by critics of government policies the newspaper stopped publishing them. The government’s control of the media means they can influence the way people view certain issues. The government uses the media to spread propaganda and defend their decisions without journalist asking questions, which can reveal the other part of the story. In addition, government uses media to promote the regime and culture of the Kingdom. Because of the government control to media people lose interest in buying the newspapers or subscribing to media broadcasting houses. The media revenue of the media house drops and the tax payers money have to be used to pay subsidiaries to the private own newspaper and increased budge for the state own media houses. Media house have to be independent of the dilemma is expressed well by media critic that “media power should not be shared as this is editorial autonomy infringement and should not be control as that censorship. No outside influence interference as that news management however, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Then if media personal are exempted, who exactly will best fit the job of press guardians” (Jay Blumler, 2007). There should be stipulate laws in the constitution that guide media personal as they conduct their jobs without

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