LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS Citizens and journalists find it difficult to assert their rights to freedom of expression and this fear is largely driven by the constrictive legislative framework that governs the country. This is because Eswatini has approximately 32 laws that restrict freedom of expression and media freedom. The Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (1938) (SSA Act) and the Suppression of Terrorism Act (2008) (STA), have been primarily used to curb fundamental freedoms and convict and imprison human rights defenders and journalists. Eight years after the notion that Civicus and Lawyers for Human Rights made in their submission to the Universal Periodic Review process stating that the SSA Act “has been used to target human rights defenders and activists who call for democratic reforms and are critical of the excesses of the Swazi regime,” still holds true.(2) In the same way, the STA has been described as leading to violations of the rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly. This was proved by Eswatini Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini’s declaration in June 2022 that journalist Zweli Martin Dlamini and his publication, Swaziland News were “specified entities” that “knowingly facilitate the commission of terrorist acts” under the STA. Along with criminal defamation laws that are used to punish the media for investigative reporting, there are also traditional laws and rules that restrict media practice. As pointed out in the African Media Barometer report of 2018: “as a journalist, you can’t take a picture of the king’s car, or the king’s wives as they exit the car.”(3) MEDIA PLURALISM AND DIVERSITY The state domination of the media landscape is demonstrated by its total control over the broadcast media, including the only privatelyowned TV channel, Channel Yemaswati. The privately-owned Times of Eswatini and the Eswatini Observer are owned by the royal Slain Swa� human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko 39