A FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION s far as the media in the Kingdom of Swaziland are concerned, 2017 can be described as a mixed bag. Feelings about media developments were conflicted due to government’s propensity to take one step forward and two steps backward. One of the major steps in the right direction was the strengthening of the voice of media practitioners. After years of pulling in different directions, eight media bodies banded together to form the Swaziland Media Consortium (SMC) on 15 May 2017. This became the first media consortium joining other groups under the Coordinating Assembly of Nongovernmental Organisations (CANGO). SMC defines itself as a united front and catalyst for protecting the rights to freedoms of expression and media in an inclusive society. Members are MISA-Swaziland, Swaziland National Association of Journalists (SNAJ), Swaziland Press Club (SPC), National Association of Development Programme Producers (NADPP), Swaziland Independent Film and Television Producers Association (SIFTPA), Swaziland Community Multimedia Network (SCMN), Media Workers’ Union of Swaziland (MWUS) and Arterial Network Swaziland (ANS). The relationship between SMC and CANGO is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The SMC was introduced to the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Dumisani Ndlangamandla, on 27 May who welcomed the move 100 So This is Democracy? 2017 and encouraged the Director of the Information and Media Development Unit to work closely with the SMC on media issues. The director updated the SMC on progress on the amalgamation of the Swaziland Broadcasting Bill 2016 and the Swaziland Broadcasting Corporation Bill of 2016 into one Swaziland Broadcasting Bill, as well as the redrafting of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill 2007. Another development was the announcement of the development of a Swaziland Broadcasting and Media Policy. The Minister also stressed the urgent need to address media development issues, access to information and dropping standards of journalism. The ICT Ministry assured SMC that its doors were open to discuss media issues. Feelings about media developments were conflicted due to government’s propensity to take one step forward and two steps backward. Yet again the media fraternity hosted the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on 3 May 2017. Fifty people came together to celebrate the principles of freedom of expression; evaluate the state of media freedom and pay tribute to the courageous journalists. In a country known for intolerance of dissenters, 3 May has