SECTOR 1 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities In line with the Books and Newspapers Act of 1963, print publications need to register and pay a bond of 15,000 E (1,079 USD) to start a publication. In recent years, the government has deliberated on increasing this fee to 50,000 E (3,600 USD), which would hamper the entry of new players into the market. Panellists noted that this clause in the Books and Newspapers Act was used to close down Swaziland Shopping in December 2017, after the newspaper published an article considered to be ‘unfavourable’ towards the king – however, authorities emphasised that the newspaper had not been properly registered. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ 1.6 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 3.7; 2011: 1.6; 2014: 1.5) 1.6 Confidential sources of information are protected by law and/or the courts While journalists are compelled by their journalistic code of ethics not to reveal confidential sources of information, their sources are not protected by the law or the courts. The Magistrate’s Court Act of 1938 compels anyone with information to reveal their sources: editors, journalists and photographers have been summoned on various occasions to testify in court. There have been cases where journalists have refused to reveal their sources, however, they risk this refusal as being seen as contempt of court and therefore punishable by law. The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, the Official Secrets Act and the limitations set out in Section 24 (3) of the constitution itself further entrench the notion that confidential sources are not protected and that journalists may be punished for not revealing these sources. 15 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018