SECTOR 1 different view to authority. “When you do that, something will happen to you. The discourse of fear and threat of action is still there.” After the commencement of the constitution in 2005, a Suppression of Terrorism Act was passed in 2008 that has taken away “all the rights you can think of ” (see indicator 1.3). All this has to be viewed in the context of Swaziland still being “a non-party state”. Section 79 of the constitution states that Swaziland’s system of government is “a democratic, participatory, tinkhundla-based system which emphasises devolution of state-power from central government to tinkhundla areas, and individual merit as a basis for election or appointment to public office”. By implication this means that political parties do not play any role in the system of governance and the chiefs in the various tinkhundlas exercise power over their subjects. Thus the political status quo is maintained under the new constitution, “and when you discuss freedom of expression, you must consider Section 79”. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.3 (2009: 2.1; 2007: 2.1; 2005: 1.5) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. “It is very clear, we practice [our freedom of expression] with fear. We exist with fear.” Besides the country’s restrictive laws, socialisation plays a major role in the way Swazis express themselves. “People are not free to speak either in their professional capacity or as citizens. Even if they are protected with academic immunity, there is still that ‘…but don’t quote me’.” Those who speak out tend to be labelled. “As I grew up, if someone called me a progressive I would be happy. But today it means something else.” 12 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011