Media faces new threat in Swaziland

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."

Source: MISA