SECTOR 4 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: ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ 3.4 (2005: 2.6; 2007: 2.6; 2009: 3.4; 2011: 3.1; 2014: 3.0) 4.2 The media follow voluntary codes of professional standards, which are enforced by independent/ non-statutory bodies that deal with complaints from the public The media generally follow codes of conduct: most newsrooms have their ombudsman to deal with complaints against their media houses. The Swaziland Media Complaints Commission (MCC) – an independent, selfregulatory body formed by media practitioners themselves – was launched in 2011. The role of the commission is to ensure the implementation of the Swaziland Journalists Code of Ethics and to provide consumers of print media with an opportunity for redress outside of the courts – where they feel they have been wronged by reportage that has been published. However, there have been many instances where the aggrieved have resorted to going straight to court rather than through the commission. Currently the only members of the MCC are the Times and the Observer, who pay a monthly subscription fee of 2,500 E (187 USD) to fund the commission. The Nation does not subscribe to the MCC. Panellists were not cognisant of how effective the commission has been in achieving its mandate. The broadcasting sector is not engaged in the commission and currently has no complaints commission of its own. The Broadcasting Bill, if passed, would provide for a complaints commission in the sector. 47 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018