... importance of freedom of expression

MBABANE - Freedom of expression underscores one of the most important rights mankind has in its quest towards realising the values of self-determination.

To curtail it, to punish those who use this basic human right, defeats the very purpose of mankind’s existence.

This was expressed by the Editor of the Nation Magazine, Bheki Makhubu, during his remarks at the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day last week.

Makhubu’s comments were made based on his more than 30 years as a practicing journalist in Eswatini.

Values

Makhubu said freedom of expression underscored one of the most important rights mankind had in its quest towards realising the values of self-determination.

“The lesson that comes out of our experience is that freedom of expression, in its full spectrum, has this incredible ability to self-correct society, so that the untruths told by those who seek to deceive the masses, be it government or those fighting for freedom will eventually be called out by the very people they seek to capture when the facts are brought to bear,” he said.

Makhubu is one among many who stands out in the history of journalists in Eswatini, who have felt the iron clasp of oppression by the Judiciary in the country.

Expression

In its quest to suppress freedom of expression the Judicial system sentenced him and the late Human Rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko to 15 months in prison between March 2014 and June 2015.

This is despite that the director of public prosecutions conceded that their prosecution was wrong along with the Supreme Court for making a legal finding to that effect.

When sentencing the pair, Judge Mpendulo Simelane stated that, “Some journalists have this misconception that just because they have the power of the pen and paper, they can say or write anything under the disguise of freedom of expression.

This is a fallacy.

“In making that statement, the judge, therefore, took time off to single out the media on free speech rights in order to send a message to all of us that such freedoms are, indeed, a fallacy,” said Makhubu.

Based on that experience, the editor drew the conclusion that, “one can only surmise that government’s reaction to our misfortune was informed by a belief that independent media in Eswatini will not be tolerated, regardless of the facts. Put differently, the message is that facts do not vindicate the truth.”

He added: “That is why I strongly disagree with the use of other means, whether through legislation or brute force to curtail freedom of expression.

Information

Societies grow because, as has been said before, in the free market of exchange of ideas and information, people are empowered with the necessary tools to make their own choices and come to the right conclusions about their circumstances.

Nobody should have a monopoly on information; not government and not those who seek to bring about political change in society.

The people are entitled to make their choices, empowered with the full information available out there.”