or facebook updates. The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), for example, used social media to mobilise their members during the three-month long teachers strike. The censored media, especially the newspapers, ran stories that were sourced from Facebook. Though social media is not widely used at the moment, it is undoubtedly gaining pace. In many regards, the new forms of media (text messages, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, etc.) have allowed citizens of Swaziland to put into practice their constitutional right to freedom of expression and media freedom. To achieve greater freedom of expression, and by association media freedom, Swaziland’s media institutions – MISA Swaziland, Swaziland Editors’ Forum, and Swaziland National Association of Journalists (SNAJ) – must speak in a strong and united voice. This is not to say we all must agree. Rather, the media must first acknowledge and accept that freedom of speech goes both ways: the right to question and the right to be questioned; the right to criticise and the right to be criticised. And also to accept that freedom of speech is for everyone: citizens, business people, parliamentarians, cabinet members, civil society leaders, public servants, journalists – and the list goes forever on. Moreover, it is worth keeping in mind that a tool is only good as the person using it. There is, therefore, an urgent need to equip journalists with professional skills. This way, they will be able to manoeuvre, survive, and prosper in this difficult media environment, an environment that might be likened to a minefield. Training will help them understand and appreciate the parameters of media freedom – underpinned by the notion of the public interest. Abiding by the Swaziland Journalists Code of Ethics and the Constitution cannot be overemphasised. Yet the continued violation of the code of ethics and the Constitution by the Swazi media is as good as giving ammunition to those who wish to further curtail media freedom. MISA acknowledges the grave conditions that journalists work in, yet there is still a lot to be said for taking personal responsibility. The Swazi media, if it is serious about freedom of speech, must look itself in the mirror while simultaneously demanding more freedom for all citizens. As a united force – that thrives on healthy and honest debate – the media 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\" &RQFOXVLRQDQGSURMHFWLRQV