Download - Media Institute of Southern Africa

REGIONAL OVERVIEW
State of the media in Southern Africa 2002
In Lesotho the media freedom situation is littered with legal and financial
hurdles. The media is fearful of court settlements or unfavourable rulings
against them, which have contributed to the folding of number of publications
while crippling others financially.
In Mozambique, the murder of Carlos Cardoso on November 20 2000, has
scarred that country’s image irreparably. Earlier this year heavy sentences
were passed – between 24 and 26 years – on the accused. The question remains
whether the president’s son, Nymphine Chissano, who was also implicated,
will eventually be brought to book.
In Malawi the media freedom environment is threatened by the manipulation
of the state-funded media by the government. Threats and intimidation were
also levelled against independent-minded judges and lawyers who are active
supporters of media freedom and freedom of expression. Another threat to
media freedom were the political zealots of the ruling United Democratic
Front (UDF) party, who have drawn up a plan to “deal” with selected journalists
who they feel are a threat to their individual and party interests.
These cadres of the UDF have targeted BBC correspondent Raphael Tenthani
of the Daily Times, Mabvuto Banda, Ackimu Kaingana of Malawi News, The
Chronicle newspaper and The Pride magazine team. The reportage of these
journalists is regarded as a threat and an embarrassment to the government.
In neighbouring Tanzania the Prime Minister’s Office on August 20 issued a
four-page statement warning newspapers that they can be punished for publishing
material in violation of professional ethics.
In Namibia President Sam Nujoma last year took over the Information and
Broadcasting portfolio, arguing that he needed to play a role in tackling problems
at the NBC and disciplining NBC employees. The President has since
instructed the broadcaster to stop screening foreign films and series that have
a bad influence on the Namibian youth and instead to show films that portray
Namibia in a positive light.
The government maintained its advertising ban against the independent English
daily newspaper, The Namibian. On March 23, 2001, the government
slapped an advertising boycott on the paper, claiming it was too critical of its
policies. A few months later President Nujoma extended the ban to include
the purchase of The Namibian with state monies.
Not to be outdone, the Government of Swaziland banned the print versions of
the Guardian newspaper and the Nation magazine from circulating in the country
in May 2001. The Guardian’s legal victory on August 31 that year lasted
less than a week when the government appealed against the court ruling that
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