SECTOR 2 Parliament developed an ICT Master Plan in 2010 and 2012. An implementation plan was released with clear deadlines for implementation along with some key programme areas. Panellists noted, however, that the major challenge with the policy has been implementation. ‘Deadlines have passed and nothing has been done. For example, the rollout of media is not broad and there are many places with no coverage.’ Much remains to be done regarding meeting the information needs of marginalised communities. ‘We still have a long way to go as a country and it is still a luxury to access information.’ In 2013, the government launched the e-Government Strategy (2013-2017) and in July 2017, launched its e-Government Communications Strategy. While one panellist described e-governance in eSwatini as a ‘pipe dream’, another remarked that ‘the provision of information online is improving, but it is only now that policy documents are starting to come online’. 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: ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ 3.0 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 4.0; 2011: 2.5; 2014: 2.9) 2.12 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content Government remains the biggest advertiser in eSwatini and while it may not have an official documented stance with regards to where it will or will not advertise, its advertising power in this small advertising pool certainly feeds into the selfcensorship that is rife in the media industry. ‘The media don’t want to ruffle feathers – lest they risk losing ad revenue.’ ‘It is not pervasive, but there is a fear and so there are certain lines that editors won’t cross.’ 34 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018