Mbabane – The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) has rolled out a year-long initiative worth about E600,000 to advance freedom of expression and ethical journalism in Eswatini.
The project, titled “Liberty, Ethics and Truth: Advancing Freedom of Expression in Eswatini”, was unveiled during a two-day workshop held at the Mbabane Club, hosted in partnership with the Media Consortium. Representatives from various media houses including Independent News, Times of Eswatini, Rubicon Media Group, and Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism joined journalism students from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to discuss strategies for improving media practice and participation.
Supported by the Commonwealth Foundation, the £30,000 (about E600,000) initiative seeks to strengthen media freedom and civic engagement by building the capacity of the media consortium, which consists of ten media and arts organisations. These groups use community radio and creative arts as tools to foster public dialogue and participation.
CANGO Communications and Advocacy Officer Ndimphiwe Shabangu said the project will promote ethical community reporting, amplify grassroots stories, and expand opportunities for women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities to be active in media spaces. It will also include training on legislative engagement, mentorship for media professionals, and operational support for at least two community radio stations.
According to Shabangu, the initiative began in September 2025 and comes at a time when Eswatini is grappling with restricted civic space and outdated media laws. Through this partnership, CANGO and its media collaborators aim to strengthen ethics, inclusivity, and access to information as vital components of democratic expression.
Discussion about this post