SECTOR 3 3.4 The state/public broadcaster is accountable to the public through an independent board which is representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner The state broadcasters are yet to be transformed into ‘real public broadcasters’. This is one of the key aspects of the proposed Broadcasting Bill. In the absence of the new broadcasting legislation, the independence of the leadership of both the SBIS and Swazi TV remain questionable. The SBIS does not have a board and is considered a department of the MICT. Currently, the Director of National Radio is appointed by the minister. Swazi TV does have a board, however the criteria for the appointment of board members is unclear. 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: ✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ 1.3 (2005: 1.0; 2007: 1.0; 2009: 1.8; 2011: 1.1; 2014: 1.1) 3.5 The editorial independence of the state/public broadcaster from political influence is guaranteed by law and practised to ensure balanced and fair news and current affairs programmes In most pieces of legislation related to the broadcasting sector (i.e. the Broadcasting Bill, the Electronic Communications Act and the Swaziland Communications Commission Act), the issue of independence is touched on. The Broadcasting Bill would be the defining policy in this regard, however it has not yet been passed into law. In practise, panellists had no doubt that the editorial independence of the public broadcasters is severely hampered. 40 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018