Swaziland
graduates from the University of Swaziland [UNISWA]) are thrown
in the deep end, given no tutelage or mentorship (“Editors don’t
have the time”).
The high staff turnover in newsrooms is due to poor pay and lack
of benefits. Most of the experienced journalists have moved into
more lucrative positions in government or the NGO sector. The drain
from the profession is also partly because of “political encroachment” where the government deliberately poaches journalists for
well-paying government jobs. It was also suggested that the “right
calibre” of people are no longer attracted to the profession.
SCORES:
Individual scores:

3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3

Average score:

2.6

4.3

(2005=2.6)

The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and
cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local
and investigative stories.

ANALYSIS:
The breadth of content in the media is satisfactory, but investigative
stories are “no longer here” and the depth of reporting generally is
very poor. Most reports are superficial, lacking adequate information and analysis: “Journalists can be patronisingly simple.”
Lack of skills and experience, both in print and broadcasting, is a
key reason for simplistic reporting. In addition, journalists don’t
specialise in select fields to enable them to produce in-depth stories and this is compounded by journalists’ tendency to rely on their
own knowledge rather than seek analysis and comment from experts. “Most journalists assume they know everything.” This know36

African Media Barometer - Swaziland 2007

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