The Board may at any time revoke or suspend any license where it appears that such revocation or suspension is expedient and in the public interest. The Act does not set out a right or procedure for an aggrieved party to appeal against such decisions. All of this makes the creation of a diversity of electronic media under the existing licensing framework most unlikely. Government’s monopoly and the bottleneck licensing procedure ensure that the state remains the sole controller of all electronic means of communication. The Swaziland Television Authority (STVA) Act, 1983 entrenches the monopoly of the State over the television industry. The STVA Authority controls all television and broadcasting stations in Swaziland. It further controls the industry relating to the sale and distribution of television receivers and associated equipment. The Authority also 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. With regard to the content of television transmissions, the Board has the power to censor the content of any programme and other transmission to ensure that they conform with ‘acceptable moral standards’. The Christian radio station Transworld Radio approached the King in 1974 with the request to be licensed as an operator that does not serve the local market but Africa as a whole. The King agreed and registered Transworld Radio as a mission by way of a Royal Command. In 2003, Transworld Radio (through a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between the station and the Director of SBIS) gained access to the local frequencies FM 96 and FM 101 in an obvious attempt to block the spill-over from South Africa’s Radio Zulu and Radio siSwati. SCORES: Individual scores: 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1. Average score: 1.2 3.2 The appointments procedure for members of the regulatory body is open and transparent and involves civil society. ANALYSIS: There is no independent body regulating the broadcasting industry. The Minister for Tourism and Communications appoints the SPTC Board which is supposed to be the broadcasting regulatory authority in terms of the Posts and Telecommunications Act incorporating the Swaziland Broadcasting Regulations. The Minister for Public Service and Information appoints the Swaziland Television Authority (STVA) Board which regulates the television industry. The appointment of both boards is not transparent and there is no involvement of members of the public. SCORES: Individual scores: 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1. Average score: 1.1 3.3 The body regulates broadcasting in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. ANALYSIS: There is neither an independent regulatory body nor a policy aiming to ensure these principles in the overall broadcasting landscape in Swaziland yet. So This Is Democracy? 2005 -254- Media Institute of Southern Africa