BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Savannah Maziya has expressed joy at the fact that Eswatini has improved in the World Press Freedom Index.
According to the Reporters Without Borders, Eswatini has jumped from 111 to 85 in the index. This means that Eswatini has jumped 26 spaces to achieve what she termed as the momentous milestone in the country’s journey to achieve a free and independent press in Eswatini.
“It is a great honour to be celebrating this momentous milestone in our journey towards nurturing a free and independent press in Eswatini. I am elated to share the remarkable news of our country’s leap in the World Press Freedom Index, conducted by Reporters Without Borders. As most of you here are aware, Eswatini has advanced from position 111 to 85, that is 26 slots up, with a global score of 58.31 in 2024, a rise from 52.66 in 2023. This significant progress is a testament to Government’s efforts to create an environment that promotes and protects press freedom,” Maziya said.
The minister expressed her profound appreciation to the media and acknowledged the critical role it played towards holding Government accountable, as it served Emaswati. She said media freedom was a fundamental cornerstone towards the stimulation of innovation, socio-economic development, good governance and the building of public trust.
“Media freedom ensures that we as the Government are transparent and accountable to the nation, shaping public discourse, and serving the interest of the public,” she said.
She said the significant rise in world media ratings reaffirmed the ICT Ministry’s stance to pursue endeavours that supported and promoted a credible and independent press. She said she believed that the developments witnessed within the Media sector in creating an independent regulatory body that would oversee media practices, ensuring that the media operated freely from Governmental authority would be a step in the right direction.
According to Maziya, such a move would enforce adherence to ethical standards and protect the editorial freedom of media houses. “We further pledge our unwavering support to the professional growth of journalists in Eswatini. We shall continue providing training on ethical reporting, so that our journalists are accurate and credible in their reporting, as we thrive towards creating a robust media industry that is internationally reputable,” she said.
“The Ministry encourages media pluralism, diversity, and editorial independence, fostering a vibrant discourse essential in having diversified and multiple voices from all societal groups. The enactment of the Broadcasting Act, 2023, is evidence towards fostering an enabling environment for a free, independent, and responsible media.”
She expressed a wish to have the Media to be Government’s partners in serving the nation. “This is why it is so important that all media is supported, so it can thrive and be sustainable. Even when we do not agree, we should always work for the people of Eswatini’s best interest and not special interests,” she said.
She reaffirmed Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom. She promised to continue to support initiatives that promoted transparency, protected journalists, and fostered a media environment, where all voices could be heard. “Together, we can build a more informed, engaged, and democratic society,” she concluded.
(Courtesy Pics)
