SECTOR 1 1.12 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups. Consultations between government and media advocacy groups take place and they can be meaningful because it is possible to prevent legislation such as the Media Commission Bill which would have established a statutory Media Council: “The media can claim victories in terms of stalling certain things.” However, not everyone agreed. “In my view there hasn’t been any movement on media legislation, and there hasn’t been recent consultation. Is this ‘meaningful’ consultation if it takes so long?” The moment government moves on a piece of legislation, the media responds, argued another panellist. “We can’t move on our own. If they (government) say they are proceeding, we mobilise. We have been able to move to the level they are, but we can’t move beyond them.” Some panellists took this as further evidence that consultation is not meaningful, as civil society and the media can never drive a law reform process, but simply react to what government says and does. “The state initiates, then we react like crazy, and successfully stall things. But the media is not driving any legislation.” 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: 3.2 (2009: 1.8; 2007 and 2005: n/a) Average score for sector 1: 2.5 (2009: 2.6) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011 25