SECTOR 1 1.10 The state does not seek to block or filter Internet content unless laws provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society. According to some panellists, “there was a strategic black out” of the Internet during protests staged on 12 April 2011. Certain pages on the social media site Facebook were blocked, they said, while other pages were removed from the Internet completely. “They are interfering with it (the Internet) big time. It is a government initiative. Individuals at the Ministry of ICT [Information and Communication Technology] have been told to sit and surf the net to find ways to access people’s [social media] accounts in order to see what they are talking about, and to try to block people from using their accounts. Even now they probably have a team of people looking into people’s accounts.” Panellists differed on how systematic the government’s monitoring and blocking of the Internet is. Some felt this was the initiative of some officials only, not least because the Swazi government lacks the necessary technology. “These are probably a few individuals in government saying Facebook is a threat,” said a panellist. “But they don’t have the firewalls to make sure citizens cannot access certain content. I can go to a blog right now, and say whatever I like.” Others argued that the monitoring was government policy. “Someone could ”Even the police were roped in to join some of these sites to see who is saying what. Even His Majesty expressed concern about be accused of Internet.” “Efforts are being made [by government to intercept terrorism for information and monitor the Internet], there are strategies, there are plans, there are things happening,” concluded one panellist. something they “There may not be very coherent strategy in place, but they do put on Facebook.” try.” Another panellist pointed out that the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini had said publicly that the Electronic Intelligence Act would enable government to use electronic communication as evidence in court. “Someone could be accused of terrorism for something they put on Facebook. The PM said that he had the act in place to deal with people who promote terrorism through electronic communication.” On 25 March 2011, MISA-Swaziland reported that Prime Minister Dlamini told parliamentarians that his government would track down, arrest and prosecute the author of a popular Facebook site that was critical of the current Swazi regime. 22 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011