BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
KaLANGA – Constable Celiwe Mnisi of the Royal Eswatini Police Service has issued a strong warning over the rising trend of “citizen journalism,” saying it is deeply disturbing to see families discovering the deaths of their loved ones through social media posts before official communication is made.
She made the remarks on June 27,2026 during the KaLanga Umphakatsi Thanksgiving Prayer Service, where she addressed growing concerns about how members of the public behave at accident scenes especially the rush to take photos and videos and circulate them online without sensitivity or verification.
Constable Celiwe Mnisi stressed that journalism is a professional field guided by strict ethical standards, not simply the act of posting content online. She said professional reporting is grounded in accuracy, responsibility, and respect for human dignity, especially in moments of tragedy.
She highlighted key journalism ethics that should be observed, including verification of facts before publication, respect for privacy and grief, minimizing harm, avoiding the spread of graphic or distressing content, ensuring accuracy, and allowing official sources to communicate sensitive information first.
“The rush to be first on social media often leads to harm. It is disturbing to see your loved ones reported dead on social media before families are even officially informed,” she said.
She further urged the public to show restraint at accident scenes, emphasizing that while sharing information is not illegal in itself, it must be done responsibly and with compassion. She warned that careless posting can interfere with police work, mislead the public, and deepen the pain of affected families.
The police have called on communities to support emergency services by prioritizing dignity, respect, and accurate communication during incidents.
#KaLangaUmphakatsi #Siteki #MediaEthics #ResponsibleReporting #RoyalEswatiniPolice #PublicSafety #JournalismEthics #EswatiniNews
