SECTOR 2 2.10 Private broadcasters deliver a minimum of quality public interest programmes Private broadcasters try to cover public interest programmes, but many panellists noted that they could do better. The only privately-owned TV station, Channel S, does deliver some public interest programmes but accessibility to this station is problematic given the high expense associated with accessing it (which includes having to purchase a decoder). Notwithstanding, it was noted with positivity that, ‘Channel S also does live coverage that is not censored and covers a bit of politics.’ VOC, which is owned by Transworld Radio, is a private broadcaster but is classified by the regulator as a community broadcaster. However, it still only has a provisional licence. The broadcaster has both a siSwati and English channel. ‘The English channel of VOC has made positive strides to offer some form of public interest programming. Although it is a religious station, it also covers many other issues.’ 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: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ 2.5 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: n/a; 2011: n/a; 2014: 1.5) 2.11 The country has a coherent ICT policy and/or the government implements promotional measures, which aim to meet the information needs of all citizens; including marginalised communities ‘Our ICT policy is a coherent, good policy, but it is not being implemented.’ Cabinet adopted the country’s ICT Policy (known as the NICI Policy) in 2006, which was launched by the then prime minister in 2007. The foundational statement of the national policy is to achieve sustainable development in the ICT sector, establishing a self-propelling mechanism to facilitate the maximisation of benefits that can be derived from ICTs in the context of national socio-economic development strategies.10 10 Parliament of the Kingdom of Swaziland, 2010. ICT Master Plan. 33 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018