By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini says political parties must unite among themselves and leave journalists to do their job.

The editor stated that he will no longer entertain any narrative urging journalists to unite with politicians.

“I will no longer entertain any call or request for a meeting to unite with political leaders, they must unite among themselves and allow us to do our job. As a journalist, I can have my political opinions but that doesn’t mean I must unite with politicians.How can conservatives and the international community trust us if we openly declare unity with progressives. When the King’s Spokesperson responds to my questionnaire, he must trust me that I won’t distort his response and I must maintain that credibility. That I’m vocal, demanding democracy does not mean I must unite with politicians”, he said.

The editor said he has noted that some political parties have a tendency of insulting journalists for reporting what doesn’t favour them and once they get tired,they call for unity.

“I can only unite with other willing local and international journalists as I do, not politicians.This thing of uniting with politicians is a major threat to media freedom because once you start reporting what they don’t like, they feel you are attacking them and unleash their social media agents to insult you. As mentioned, I will no longer entertain any request for a meeting calling for unity, political parties must unite among themselves,”said the editor.