ESWATINI INTRODUCTION Withholding public information from information-seekers by government and public institutions appears to be the rule rather than the exception in Eswatini, formerly Swaziland. It is an open secret that a culture of secrecy still exists within the government and public institutions. As a result, public complaints of lack of access to information held by government and public entities abound. Amnesty International bears testimony to the culture of secrecy practiced and promoted by the authorities in Eswatini. In a recent Amnesty International report titled They Don’t See Us As People: Security of Tenure and Forced Evictions in Eswatini, it is noted that there is a general lack of both public access to information and proactive disclosure of information by the authorities in Eswatini. The report further highlights the absence of national legislation promoting access to information. Unprepared to heed calls for the enactment of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, the 10th Parliament had passed the Public Service Act 2018 before its dissolution in June 2018. The law denies emaSwati their constitutional right to access information held by government. Section 8 of the Act deals with publications, interviews and use of official information, and bans public officials from releasing public information to the media without the express permission of the Secretary to the Cabinet. Subject to the provisions of the law, a public officer: (b) whether on duty or on leave of absence shall not (except with due authority) allow oneself to be interviewed on questions of or connected with any matter affecting or relating to public policy, security or strategic economic interests or resources of Swaziland; and (c) shall not directly or indirectly reveal, or use for private purposes, any information coming to the knowledge of the officer or acquired by the officer or the nature or the contents of any document communicated to the officer either in the course of the duties of that officer or in the capacity of that officer as an officer otherwise than in the proper discharge of the duties of that officer as authorised by law or a responsible officer. Essentially, the Act bars public officers from entertaining requests for information from the media on behalf of citizens who need information to make informed decisions and choices. For years, MISA Swaziland has been at the forefront of a campaign to press government to embrace a culture of openness. This saw government making strides in e-governance by launching a revamped website (which hosts all national ministries) on 19 July 2018. The prime minister described it as a vehicle for the general public to easily access information and services. He also noted that the website will make the most informative and effective services available at the public’s fingertips. Back in 2007, the Information and Media Development Directorate drafted the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill 2007. It sought to enable the citizens to access public information. Not tabled for debate to the 8th Parliament (2003-2008), it also missed out in the 9th Parliament (20082013) and 10th Parliament (2013-2018). This has thrice rendered the Bill null and void. The access to information (ATI) workshops that MISA hosted for legislators, editors, journalists and civil society actors encouraged the Information and Media Development Directorate to redraft the legislation, now called the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill of 2016. Once again, it did not reach Parliament before its dissolution in June 2018. Notwithstanding the dillydallying, MISA alongside media partners and civil society actors will continue fighting for the enactment of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill. RATIONALE AND RESEARCH PARAMETERS This research set out to assess the ease with which members of the public can access information held by public institutions. Its aim was to generate credible evidence-based information to support the enactment of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy law in Eswatini. Importantly, its findings will be used by MISA Swaziland and freedom of expression activists in the on-going ATI campaign targeting the incoming Members of Parliament (MPs) in the 11th Parliament (2018-2023). This research was conducted on four ministries and four public institutions/ enterprises in Eswatini between July and August 2018. The following public institutions were surveyed: 1. Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) 2. Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) 3. Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE) 4. Ministry of Public Service (MPS) 5. Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development (MTAD) 6. Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM) 7. National Maize Corporation (NMC) 8. Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) 9