SECTOR 1 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Journalists and citizens in general do not feel free to express themselves. “The spaces are shrinking for free expression.” “There is too much fear, especially with the latest developments, with Makhubu and Maseko being charged with contempt of court. This case has definitely impacted on how journalists report.” It is generally known that criticism of the head of state, King Mswati III - subSaharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, or his family, will lead to negative repercussions. One way in which Swazis make their sentiments heard by those in power is through the vocal trade union movement. There are regular demonstrations and strikes by the unions, and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) is one of the most powerful and active trade unions in the country, with around 12 000 members. At the end of May 2014, some national radio phone-in programmes on the stateowned radio station, Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Service (SBIS), were suspended by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology because they say some presenters were taking illegal payments from businesses and artists to appear on the programmes. This resulted in more pre-recorded (as opposed to live) programmes being aired on the station. “This is a sign of people not being able to express themselves freely as the call-in programmes were one way in which Swazis did speak out to some extent.” It was also noted that in the past, controversial callers to these programmes had been summarily cut-off. “Swazis know that if they practise freedom of expression, they may not have that freedom tomorrow.” The government maintains a strong grip on state broadcasting. Since 2013, Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini has prevented members of parliament from making any announcements, even non-controversial ones, on SBIS. Essentially, MPs are therefore prohibited from accessing their constituencies through this radio station, which has the broadest reach of any radio station in the country. Cabinet ministers, however, are allowed to use the radio station at any time. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014 15