At least two journalists were allegedly threatened and forced to leave their posts on 28 October following an apparent illegal strike by workers at the Swaziland Television Broadcasting Corporation (STBC), the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) said.
MISA said the six suspended workers were held directly responsible for the news blackout and seizure of the studios. According to reports received by MISA, the striking workers stormed the television studios, locked all the doors and took control. As a result of the action, no news was broadcast on 28 October, but most of the other programmes were kept on air.
According to reports the strike was wage-related, with workers demanding 7 percent backpay, which management had promised to them in April this year. Initially, management said they would receive this with their November salaries, but the Swaziland Media and Publishers Workers Union (SMEPAWU) decided to go ahead with the strike action. The strike action was abandoned on the morning of 29 October.
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