SECTOR 4

4.3
The media cover the full spectrum of events,
issues and cultures, including business/economics,
cultural, local and investigative stories.
Overall, the media cover a broad spectrum of issues. The print media in particular
have shown greater consistency in following up on stories, and providing analysis
and editorial comment.
Investigative stories, however, are missing. “You find that you have one investigative
piece after a long time. I should get my Times on Sunday and
know there will be investigative pieces.” There are limitations to
investigative journalism in Swaziland. “You are going to struggle
“ You are
to find people to confirm stories.”
“I would like to believe that the media do investigative stories
but only to a certain level. Investigation needs time. You cannot
produce an investigative story on a daily basis.”
Swazi TV tends to have documentaries rather than investigative
news stories: “You have to follow people around to comment on a
particular issue. With print media you can get them to comment
on the phone. Most people shy away from TV.”

going to
struggle to
find people
to confirm
stories.”

SBIS lacks the experienced and well-trained producers and presenters to dig
for stories. “If you are doing a story on the central bank, you need to be able to
understand a balance sheet and interpret that into the story.” There are journalists
who are good enough to break stories, but not those “who are good enough to
follow up on the stories”.

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:

3.7 (2009: 3.7; 2007: 2.8; 2005: 3.4)

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SWAZILAND 2011

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