SECTOR 2 Government realises that broadcasting is the most accessible medium in the country and therefore continues to keep a tight grip on the sector. Several community and commercial radio stations have waited for licences for many years: “There has been no follow up to freeing airwaves and the public is not told why.” 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: 1.4 (2009: 1.8; 2007 and 2005: n/a) 2.7 All media fairly reflect the voices of both women and men. According to the 2009/10 Gender and Media Progress Study conducted by GenderLinks, GEMSA and MISA, the proportion of women news sources cited in the Swazi media “has increased marginally, from 17% to 19%”8. “There are, however, variations across individual media entities,” the report says. “While gender violence receives more coverage than gender equality, coverage still tends to be sensational, with little information on advocacy campaigns and where to go for help.” While some panellists thought the voices of more women were being heard through the media, others felt that these were mostly the voices of women who represented the “status quo”. “The voices are there, but these tend to be the voices of convenience.” “The voices are there, but these tend to be the voices of convenience.” Nonetheless, the monitoring of the media’s coverage of gender issues seems to be having an effect. “You have observed media listening, and a certain level of responsiveness to balance things out. We are not there yet, but there is an effort, and there is a difference.” 8 Southern Africa Gender and Media Progress Study: Swaziland – Executive Summary October 2010 (sourced from www.genderlinks.org.za/page/gender-and-media-progress-study on July 20, 2011). AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011 35