SECTOR 4

Given that the Times is the largest employer in the sector, this is problematic,
as no organised bargaining power exists on behalf of its workers and it is ‘each
man for himself’.
The Swaziland Editors Forum (SEF) is perceived as not having been very effective,
with some panellists concerned that ‘it has ended up disintegrating into monthly
breakfasts and patting on the back between the involved editors and the leaders
of the country. It seems to be a club of a certain number of editors who have
become comfortable with the status quo. It started with such promise, but they
have let down the profession and are now serving as gatekeepers for the political
elite’. Another panellist pointed out that the SEF is not very proactive and has
been silent on various media issues on which it should have raised its voice, such
as on the closure of Swaziland Shopping, or the harassment and arrest of media
practitioners.
SNAJ has not been very active, with only limited interest from journalists. ‘The
challenge is attitude, more than anything. It is the attitude of people in the
newsroom to their profession.’
‘People in the newsroom are in transit (to other jobs) and only a few are interested
in the workings of SNAJ.’
‘Journalism is a calling, and unless a journalist understands this, they will have
no interest in SNAJ.’ Although some panellists noted that SNAJ urgently needs a
revival, others felt that all might be lost, with one stating, ‘SNAJ is dead. It’s just
that we need to bury it.’
Some panellists also lamented the lack of participation of the SBIS in the
association. However, another countered that, ‘A disturbing factor in looking
at our media organisation is that we always want to involve the radio (SBIS)
people, who don’t want to be involved because they see our organisations as
anti-government. They are government workers, not journalists. And we need to
revisit how we engage with them.’
The eSwatini Community Radio and Multimedia Network is an active structure,
which seeks to promote the creation of community radio stations in eSwatini and
to coordinate the different community radio initiatives in the different regions. ‘It
is an active structure, with good networking taking place.’
The Media Women’s Association of Swaziland has effectively collapsed as a result
of clashes of personalities (related to unresolved power struggles) and ideologies
(centred on the issue of the involvement of advertising personnel from media
houses being included and elevated in the association). Panellists noted that
members were not fully appreciative of what the organisation could be and
could deliver for them. ‘There are some conceptualisation issues about what
it could do.’ ‘Gender Links worked with MISA to try to assist, but the women
journalists didn’t take it forward.’

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ESWATINI 2018

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