in the past state police have confiscated or collected copies of international newspapers deemed to be carrying sensitive stories. For instance, on 7 September 2003 the state bought all copies on sale in Swaziland of the South African Sunday Times newspaper which carried a story about one of the King’s wives and her alleged illicit sexual relationship with a South African man. Foreign newspapers, particularly South African and UK papers, circulate freely in the country. Their penetration, however, is limited to urban centres mainly due to economic and cost factors. State radio broadcasts live BBC news bulletins on a daily basis without any restrictions. Swazi TV, the state TV broadcaster, also relays the CNN news daily without restrictions. The relatively rich urban dwellers can access international television channels via subscription to television providers such as M-Net and DSTV. SCORES: Individual scores: 4, 3, 5, 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 1 Average score: 4.0 2. 3 Efforts are undertaken to increase the scope of circulation of the print media, particularly to rural communities. ANALYSIS: Although the newspapers are a predominantly urban medium, the two dailies – the Times and Observer – do make an effort to deliver reasonable amounts of copies, relative to demand, to rural areas as well. To reach the rural communities both papers use similar modes of transport such as public buses and bakery vehicles. Both use their own company vehicles to deliver copies to all urban centres and accessible semi-urban and rural communities. Both newspapers make constant efforts to increase their rural circulation through promotional activities such as road-shows and competitions, although circulation is still largely restricted to the urban corridor between Mbabane (the capital) and Manzini (the airport). SCORES: Individual scores: 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 4, 2, 4, 2 Average score: 2.6 2.4 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. ANALYSIS: The broadcasting environment is not conducive to providing a level playing field for all players. Government continues to maintain and cling to a virtual monopoly on broadcasting. There is no clear and transparent process for the licensing and regulation of the broadcasting media. The colonial era Posts and Telecommunications Act (60 of 1962) does not include a clearly specified licensing procedure. The act makes it cumbersome if not impossible for community and commercial radio stations to be granted licenses. In terms of the act, applicants have to go through a complicated process involving no less than five ministries before they are granted licenses. The state radio station has to give final approval to such applications but sees comSo This Is Democracy? 2005 -249- Media Institute of Southern Africa