Mbabane – The Eswatini National Association of Journalists (ESNAJ) has condemned the harassment and online attack on a senior Eswatini Observer journalist, Melisa Msweli.
In a public statement issued on Tuesday, the ESNAJ executive strongly condemned social media harassment and personal attacks on Msweli after she asked a former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament (MP), Mthendeni Dube, during a press briefing by the His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), who was released from prison following a royal pardon.
Msweli faced undue attention, at least from one Facebook page, Mufasa Eswatini.
“ESNAJ views this act as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence journalists who are fulfilling their constitutional and ethical responsibility to seek the truth and hold all individuals — regardless of their social or legal status — accountable,” ESNAJ said.
It is the second condemnation statement in a space of two months, following the threats against Bongiwe Dlamini, a journalist still from the same news organisation.
ESNAJ said the personal attacks and body-shaming comments circulating online were unacceptable and unethical and constitute cyberbullying, which is a growing threat to press freedom and personal dignity in Eswatini.
“Journalists have the right to perform their work without fear, intimidation, or abuse.
“Resorting to personal attacks instead of engaging with the content of their reporting is not only harmful but undermines democratic values and the public’s right to information,” the ESNAJ statement said.
ESNAJ called on all members of the public, including social media users, to refrain from abusive behaviour and to respect the role of the media in a democratic society.
It further warned that continued acts of cyberbullying, harassment, or defamation against journalists would not be tolerated.
“ESNAJ will take firm steps—including seeking legal recourse—to protect its members from such violations,” the statement said, urging authorities, civil society, and social media platforms to take decisive action in promoting accountability and digital responsibility.
ESNAJ said online spaces must remain safe for all, including journalists who play a vital role in shaping informed public discourse.
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