SECTOR 1 Journalists face routine intimidation by the state, although there is no law sanctioning such intimidation. “There are policies and directives being issued without any legal basis.” As mentioned in Indicator 1.1 there are constitutional clawbacks that restrict freedom of expression and there are 32 pieces of outdated legislation that remain on the statute books which restrict the media from operating freely. These include the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act, which criminalises statements bringing the King or his heirs or the administration of justice, into disrepute or contempt, and raising discontent among the Swazi people, despite being outdated. The 1968 Proscribed Publications Act empowers the information minister to close down any publication deemed to be “prejudicial to the interests of defence, public safety, public morality or public health”. The 1963 Books and Newspapers Act requires print operators to pay a substantial fee of E15,000 (US$1,500) to be licensed. A bill before parliament, the Books and Newspapers Bill, proposes increasing this fee to E50,000. The 1963 Official Secrets Act bans access to and publication of government-held information, except on approval by senior government officials, while the 1966 Protected Places and Areas Act stipulates certain places where the media cannot enter or take photographs, such as prisons. The 1963 Public Order Act prohibits incitement to public violence, including through published words. The 1920 Cinematography Act is incredibly broad in its language and bans, among other things, the making of films or taking of photographs that portray gatherings of Africans or scenes of African life without the information minister’s written consent. It also prohibits the taking of photographs during days of national celebration, including Incwala Day, the king’s birthday, the Reed Dance and Independence day. Films or photographs which depict scenes prejudicial to the peace, order and good governance of Swaziland can be declared objectionable by the Minister for Public Service and Information. Another outdated Act on the statute books is the 1927 Obscene Publications Act which makes it an offence to produce, sell or distribute indecent or obscene publications, although these terms are not defined. The more recently enacted Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 can be used to clamp down broadly upon any dissent in the name of anti-terrorism and empowers the police to arrest suspects without a warrant. 18 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014