Swaziland
and the regulator. Thus, the broadcasting sector is uncompetitive.
There are no adhered-to rules and procedures for granting licenses.
In practice, getting a broadcasting license is a very murky and cumbersome process that discourages new players. The only two nonstate broadcasters, VOC and Channel Swazi, were issued licenses
under “gentlemen’s agreements”.
However, there are efforts under way to reform broadcasting legislation. The Information and Media Policy adopted in 2005 promotes
the three-tier broadcasting system and calls for an independent
broadcasting regulator. The Ministry of Public Service and Information, tasked with implementing the policy, has produced two draft
bills. The Broadcasting Draft Bill 2007 repeals the STVA Act 1983 and
seeks to establish an independent regulator, and the Public Broadcasting Corporation Draft Bill 2007 seeks to transform the state
broadcasters into public broadcasters.
The consultation process on the draft bills is ongoing, but stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with the Commonwealth
consultant and are concerned that the consultations have not been
inclusive.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Communications (MOTEC) has drafted the Telecommunications Bill to replace
the SPTC Act 1983. This bill covers regulatory powers, as does the
Broadcasting Draft Bill. However, there was no collaboration between MOTEC and the Ministry of Public Service and Information in
the drafting of these two bills. The consensus is that they need to
be harmonised to establish a single communications regulator.
SCORES:
Individual scores:

1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1

Average score:

1.3

16

(2005=1.1)

African Media Barometer - Swaziland 2007

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