2.7 Local and regional independent news agencies gather and distribute information for all media. ANALYSIS: Swaziland currently has neither local nor regional news agencies operating in the country, most probably due to economic and cost factors. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1.0 2.8 Media diversity is promoted through adequate competition regulation / legislation. ANALYSIS: Currently, there is no legislation in place to ensure media diversity. However, the proposed ICT Policy (recently finalised by stakeholders and awaiting government approval) touches on matters of media diversity. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1 Average score: 1.3 2.9 Government promotes a political and economic environment which allows a diverse media landscape. ANALYSIS: Existing legislation suggests that the government does not seek to promote an environment which allows for a diverse media. In fact, most of the current media laws inhibit the development of a diverse media. For instance, The Swaziland Television Authority Act, 1983 entrenches the state’s monopoly over the television industry. The STVA Authority controls all television and broadcasting stations in Swaziland. It further controls the industry relating to sale and distribution of television receivers and associated equipment. The Authority regulates and controls the duration of broadcasting time and has the power to issue and withdraw licenses on such terms and conditions as the STVA Board may deem fit. The Books and Newspapers Act, 1963 makes it difficult for aspiring media owners, particularly Swazi entrepreneurs, to establish new newspapers. The bond amount to be deposited with the Registrar of Books and Newspapers as a pre-requisite for the operation of a print media house was only recently increased from E1 000 to the present E15 000. The media considered this prohibitive increase to be an effort by the government to frustrate media entrepreneurs, particularly local Swazi media practitioners, from venturing into the media business. The need for a cash bond is viewed as unjustified when insurance policies for professional indemnity are available to cater for alleged media misconduct. The Swaziland Broadcasting Regulations (promulgated under the Swaziland Posts and TeleSo This Is Democracy? 2005 -251- Media Institute of Southern Africa