Media Faces New Media Council Bill Threat In Swaziland

16 October 2007

The Swazi media faces a new threat following a call by Parliament for government to pilot the contentious Media Council Bill within eight weeks.

A Parliament Select Committee recently constituted to probe Times Sunday editor, Mbongeni Mbingo, on charges of contempt of Parliament, whilst clearing Mbingo on the charges, called on government to pilot the Media Council Bill within eight weeks of the adoption of its report by Parliament. The House of Assembly is yet to adopt and debate the report which was tabled on October 10, 2007.

The Select Committee has said in its report: �It is the finding of the committee that media stakeholders have dragged their feet in establishing a self-regulatory Media Complaints Commission that was recommended by the House of Assembly Select Committee in 1997.

�The absence of such a commission has denied the public the fundamental right to lodge complaints and seek redress on issues of poor reporting by the media. Therefore, the committee recommends that the Minister of Public Service and Information should pilot a Media Council Bill within eight weeks.�

BACKGROUND

The media launched the Media Complaints Commission (MCC) on May 3, 2007. However, the MCC is not yet operational as the Swaziland National Association of Journalists (SNAJ) which is spearheading the process, is still finalizing operational logistics with stakeholders. The logistics include securing funding to finance start up operations and register the MCC as a Trust. SNAJ is currently having difficulties in securing funds for the process, hence the delay in the MCC operations.

The Media Institute for South Africa (MISA) Swaziland chapter is working to assist the media to fast-track the operations of the MCC. However, the issue of funding remains a challenge.

Ends