SECTOR 2

Mobile data is generally unaffordable for the majority of citizens.

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:

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3.0 (2005: 2.9; 2007: 3.1; 2009: 3.3; 2011: 2.8;
2014: 2.9)

2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international
media sources is not restricted by state authorities
There are no laws that restrict citizens’ access to domestic and international
media sources, but there have been some actions by the state that have sought
to do so. For example, if an international media source interviews a ‘banned
entity’, the interview is cut from the air (as was the case when SBIS broadcast a
[British Broadcasting Corporation] BBC interview with Mario Masuku7). ‘As soon
as they introduced him, the guys from SBIS cut off the programme and started
playing songs.’
Panellists also noted that the state has been known to buy out South African
publications in the country if they contain a negative story about the royal family.

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:

7

25

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3.8 (2005: 4.0; 2007: 3.6; 2009: 4.2; 2011: 4.3;
2014: 3.7)

Mario Masuku is the former leader of the People’s United Democratic Movement, eSwatini’s banned opposition party.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018

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