Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) says the delay in the enactment of the Broadcasting Bill infringes on the public’s right to freedom of expression.
Advocacy and Communications Officer Ndimphiwe Shabangu made this submission when making a presentation during the online launch of ARISA’s research report on the impact of cybercrime and cyber security laws on media freedoms yesterday.
The Broadcasting Bill first drafted in 2007, was passed by the House of Assembly in 2020, and Shabangu said the delay was denying citizens access to the plurality of voices and divergent views in the broadcast media.
“Eswatini only has state owned radio and one Christian radio station, which means the citizens’ right to freedom of expression at grassroot level is being infringed upon,” he stated.
The Broadcasting Bill aims to provide for the maximum availability of broadcasting services to the people through a three-tier system of public, commercial, and community services.
It also seeks to merge the Eswatini Television Authority (ETVA) and the Ewatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) to form the Eswatini Broadcasting Corporation. “This legislation has taken way too long,” complained Shabangu.
He also shared that Eswatini has enacted three pieces of legislation that address issues such as cyberbullying and criminilising child porn, but criticised how it does nott clearly define terrorism.
Shabangu also shone a spotlight on the fact that the 2021 unrest saw an internet shutdown which did now follow proper regulations in place.
“The law says it can only be done with the consent of Parliament and other bodies, which wasn’t case,” he stated, further shining light on colonial laws which he said lead to self-censorship
“The official State Secrets Act of 1968 which regulates what constitutes secrets for example makes the work of journalists in the country hard because it presents a thin line between publishable information and official state secrets,” he stated.
During World Press Freedom Day commemoration, Editor’s Forum Chairperson Mbongeni Mbingo also spoke strongly about how the Constitution lacks an enabling legislation for promotion and protection of freedom of expression and press freedom.
“Eswatini does not have a freedom of information law, so accessing government-held information is actually illegal,” said Mbingo, adding that an access to information law that would allow public access to public documents held by the government has been promised for decades.
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