ing the frequency and preparing programme content. The failure, so far, to issue a permanent licence to LCR has meant the station’s equipment has not been maintained and volunteers who were trained have now moved on. Community radio is viewed as competition for the state-owned SBIS. It is, therefore, not in the interest of government to promote it. The Ministry of Public Service and Information, however, lays the blame for the lack of community stations at the feet of the communities for not equipping themselves with the necessary resources. The costs for setting up a station, though, are so prohibitive that most communities cannot raise enough funds. It should be noted that the Broadcasting Draft Bill does include community broadcasting. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.6 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.1 (2005=1.1) The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. ANALYSIS: The Swazi Observer is owned and published by Tibiyo TakaNgwane, which in turn is owned by the King on behalf of the Swazi nation. There was much debate among panellists as to whether Tibiyo could be classified as a public authority because legally it is a private entity. It was agreed that although Tibiyo is registered as a private company and does not use taxpayer funds, it is effectively controlled by the King and “held in trust for the Swazi nation” and, therefore, is a public authority. Tibiyo appoints the board of the Observer and though the King is not directly involved in the appointments, he is kept informed and theoretically could influence the decisions. The dominant public perception is that the Swazi Observer is a state newspaper. The Observer is not able to publish criticism of the King and the Queen Mother, but “this is the only editorial restriction.” And the same restriction applies equally to the privately owned Times of Swaziland. The Observer regularly carries stories critical of government and public bodies: “For all intents and purposes it is a free paper.” SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.7 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 2.4 (2005=1.9) Local or regional independent news agencies gather and distribute information for all media. ANALYSIS: There are no news agencies currently operating in Swaziland. So This Is Democracy? 2007 -234- Media Institute of Southern Africa