SECTOR 1 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: 2.9 (2009: 4.2; 2007 and 2005: n/a) 1.11 Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the cause of media freedom. NGOs and advocacy groups may support the media to a certain degree, but the support of organised civil society is not as much as it could be. “There is a sense among some sections of civil society that the media has too much freedom. Often it seems that the media is on its own. Critical issues are raised through media. If civil society “...at the end of was together, that sort of issue might raise a groundswell of concern. But at the end of the day, the editor is called to book, the day, the editor and there is a retraction. So the support could be better.” Some panellists were concerned that the labour movement, for example, does not take up media freedom issues, although trade unionists on the panel did not agree with this view entirely. “To a certain extent we do [take up these issues]. Within the teaching fraternity there is some understanding of the role of the media.” For example, teachers were to petition the state radio for greater access to the airwaves so that the views and concerns of teachers could be heard. is called to book, and there is a retraction. So the support could be better.” However, journalists on the panel felt that civil society’s support for media freedom issues tended to be reactive. “MISA has been canvassing for public broadcasting for many years,” said one. “Now the issue is affecting teachers, they are taking action.” The problem is that civil society does not understand how the media operates. Some civil society organisations have gone as far as barring journalists from particular media houses from their events. Panellists identified the following media lobby groups operating within the country: The Swaziland National Association of Journalists (SNAJ); the Swazi AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011 23