Swaziland
Sector 2:
2.1

The media landscape is characterised by diversity,
independence and sustainability.

A wide range of sources of information (print,
broadcasting, internet) is available and affordable to
citizens.

ANALYSIS:
Radio is the most accessible and affordable source of information
for most people in Swaziland. There are two domestic stations - the
state broadcaster, Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services
(SBIS), and the religious station, Voice of the Church (VOC), established by Transworld International.
SBIS has two channels – SBIS 1 (siSwati) and SBIS 2 (English) – which
cover approximately 95% of the country. VOC reaches about 70%
of the country. VOC is becoming increasingly popular and has recently introduced non-religious content, creating real competition
for SBIS.
Listeners are not restricted to the local stations because South African radio floods the market and is very popular. There is no community radio in Swaziland.
The choice of local television stations is limited. There are just two
domestic channels: Swazi TV and Channel Swazi. The smaller of the
two, Channel Swazi, (privately owned “on behalf of His Majesty”) is
not available in most parts of the country, even in the major towns,
due to lack of transmitters. Swazi TV, the state broadcaster, has a
reach of 75%, but is not popular. Those who do watch it “don’t have
a choice.”
Those with choice watch South African television channels accessible through satellite decoders, which cost between E800-1,200.
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African Media Barometer - Swaziland 2007

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