The Royal Decree of 22 June 2001, which allows banning of publications without appeal, denies bail for an unlimited range of offences and raises the penalties for defamation, is a further reminder of official hostility towards the independent media and critical voices. A new report from ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, calls for urgent reform to guarantee fundamental human rights. The report will be launched at the annual meeting of MISA Swaziland, on 30 June 2001.