SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1. Average score: 1.0 3.4 The body’s decisions on licensing in particular are informed by a broadcasting policy developed in a transparent and inclusive manner. ANALYSIS: There is no independent body regulating broadcasting in place and thus no broadcasting policy developed in a transparent and inclusive (or any other) manner. A draft ICT Policy seeking to free the broadcasting industry from government control was recently finalised by all stakeholders and is currently awaiting government approval before being implemented. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1. Average score: 1.0 3.5 The public broadcaster is accountable to the public through a board representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner. ANALYSIS: The Swaziland Television Authority is labeled a public broadcaster but this is compromised by the fact that the Minister of Public Service and Information appoints the STVA Board. In fact STVA is a parastatal and the board is accountable to the minister and not to the public. Initially there was an attempt to appoint members from a broad spectrum of relevant professional skills. This attempt, however, fizzled out like it did in other parastatals in the country. The Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services (SBIS), the national radio, is a state broadcaster and controlled directly by government. As a government department, it does not have a board. SCORES: Individual scores: 2, 5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1. Average score: 1.5 3.6 Persons who have vested interests of a political or commercial nature are excluded from possible membership in the board, i.e. office bearers with the state and political parties as well as those with a financial interest in the broadcasting industry. ANALYSIS: Because the Minister for Information has the sole authority to appoint the STVA Board, the seven board members are de facto state representatives, although there seems to be an attempt to avoid too many conflicts of interest. SCORES: Individual scores: 4, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 1, 1, 1. Average score: 2.2 So This Is Democracy? 2005 -255- Media Institute of Southern Africa