Pic: Left to right, Bongani Mkhaliphi, the Senior Information Officer; Nqaba Matshazi, Fundraising and Regional Campaigns Coordinator; Prince Mshishimba A.S. Dlamini, Principal Secretary; Dr Tabani Moyo, MISA Regional Director; Ms Bongiwe Duma-Dlamini, Legal Advisor; and Ms Macanjana C. Motsa-Dlamini, Undersecretary, Ministry of ITCs
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) engaged with the Government of Eswatini through its Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on February 25, 2026, where the parties emphasised the centrality of the media in the country.
The MISA Regional Office delegation, led by Regional Secretariat Director, Dr Tabani Moyo, and accompanied by the Fundraising and Regional Campaigns Coordinator, Nqaba Matshazi, was received by the Ministry of ICT’s Principal Secretary, Prince Mshishimba A.S. Dlamini.
Dhlamini’s team comprised Ms Macanjana C. Motsa-Dlamini, Undersecretary; Ms Bongiwe Duma-Dlamini, Legal Advisor; and Mr Bongani Mkhaliphi, the Senior Information Officer (Policy & Legal Frameworks – Directorate of Information & Media Development).
“… we applaud the Government for keeping its promise after our previous engagement that it would license community radio stations through the amendment of the Broadcasting Act.
“While appreciating this giant step forward, we are on standby to support efforts towards the second promise, enacting the Access to Information law…” submitted Dr Moyo.
The Principal Secretary reaffirmed the strategic necessity of cooperation between MISA, the Ministry and the media industry to strengthen self-regulation and benchmarks for a competitive and viable media industry.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to continue engagements with the sector, particularly on the State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa Report.
The sixth edition of the State of Press Freedom Report is set to be launched on World Press Freedom Day this year.
Government representatives from across the region validate the report and this forms part of evidence-based advocacy in the member states’ media development and at regional level.
“We remain committed to a mutually beneficial relationship and hope that one day MISA Eswatini will be reactivated, as it played a critical role in the country’s media development…”
“We are also keen to share experiences of developments happening within the region to better inform our processes in the country,” said the Principal Secretary.
The engagement meeting was a precursor to the Africa Media Barometer (AMB) meeting, which is conducted by MISA in partnership with DW Akademie. The AMB is a perception index that provides a comprehensive description and measurement system for national media environments in Africa.
The AMB methodology comprises an assessment conducted every three to four years by a panel of 10-12 experts, based on local criteria derived from African Protocols and Declarations.
It ranks media environments using 41 predefined indicators and supports evidence-based policy interventions.
MISA’s advocacy strength lies in its capacity to engage with governments in Southern Africa, where it is recognised for its expertise and thought leadership, and in the boots-on-the-ground work by its Chapters, which escalates evidence-based advocacy to regional, continental and global arenas.
MISA Regional Communique
