tor citizens’ electronic communications “to gather intelligence for reasons of public order and national security”. However, media workers in Swaziland say the state is still relatively ignorant when it comes to new media and has not yet ‘caught up’ with regulating it. Until they do, Swazi media and civil society experts say this space is a relatively free and safe platform for expression in Swaziland.6 The army and National Security Agency, however, control and monitor the internet gateway to the country. ‘Anti-government’ photographs and web pages have allegedly been removed from time to time and army intelligence officials have been known to warn high profile, vocal citizens like union leaders and activists, not to send “unsavoury” content via emails. Another restriction to accessing information via the internet is the cost of connectivity, with both broadband and mobile data costs being too expensive for most citizens. Digital migration project launched In May 2014, the ICT Ministry launched the Swaziland digital migration project, in accordance with the dictates of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which states broadcasting must migrate from analogue to digital in June 2015. Under the ICT Ministry, the Information and Media Development Directorate and Swazi Television Authority ran nationwide campaigns to create awareness about transition from analogue to digital. The ICT Ministry also held a number of stakeholder consultative meetings with stakeholders and members of the public to deliberate on ways of handling the issues of spectrum 6 Swaziland African Media Barometer Report, MISA and Fesmedia Africa 2014 allocation in the country. LOOKING TO 2015 The criminalisation of freedom of expression had a chilling effect on Swaziland’s citizens and media practitioners in 2014. The conviction of editor Bheki Makhubu and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko instilled fear in media practitioners, development partners and citizens, resulting in self-censorship as those who disagree with the government are gripped with fear at the thought of speaking out. In silencing the media the judiciary is ultimately harming the prospects of the nation. Without open and unfettered debate, progress will only benefit the fortunate few at the top. ‘Anti-government’ photographs and web pages have allegedly been removed from time to time and army intelligence officials have been known to warn high profile, vocal citizens like union leaders and activists, not to send “unsavoury” content via e-mails.