Swaziland
monthly magazine and a sports weekly. Notably, there are
no new players in the broadcasting sector.
•

The stagnation of efforts to establish community radio, despite
the commitment from government that licenses would be
issued after the adoption of the Information and Media Policy
two years ago.

Main drivers/actors for positive change:
•

Government’s change in attitude, making it more open to
free media activity, has been an important catalyst for change
and is evidenced, for example, by government’s efforts to re
form some media laws and provide funds to train journalists.

•

Media managers who are determined to bring about industry
reform and development.

•

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Swaziland has
been instrumental in many different areas of media
development, e.g. facilitating exchange programmes and inhouse training for journalists, assisting with the launch of the
MCC and voicing opposition to statutory regulation, critiquing
the six media bills and conducting media content research.

•

The Ministry of Public Service and Information (in particular
the Director of Information), which is tasked with
implementing the Information and Media Policy and is
overseeing the drafting of new media legislation.

•

Journalists who are willing to take risks by resisting selfcensorship and censorship from the authorities.

African Media Barometer - Swaziland 2007

45

Select target paragraph3