SECTOR 4 People don’t want to talk or give information, even off the record. In that way it’s likely you’ll get something wrong.” “We have to understand the environment we operate in is very secretive,” said another editor. “Not long ago we were made to apologise for an accurate story … In Swaziland we are called liars for saying something that is true but it is not yet the time to say it … We are a product of the society we are living in. The society we’re serving today is not enlightened to the point of there being a free flow of information, and of views being expressed freely … It is not the intention of the newspaper to get things wrong. That is why we have the right to reply and the media complaints commission.” Swaziland’s broadcasters are faced with a different dilemma in that, being government media, “there is that force behind” that only allows journalists to report the government line on controversial issues. When a trade union leader is a “proscribed person”, government media are automatically unable to quote that person, even if the topic is not off limits. On other issues, journalists working for government media try their best to get both sides of the story. “If government media allow a minister to discuss political issues about the trade unions, why don’t they allow the unions to respond?” one panellist asked. “Because the minister owns the radio,” came the reply. 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: 60 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011 3.1 (2009: 3.4; 2007: 2.6; 2005: 2.6)