SECTOR 1

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:

1.5 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 3.7; 2011: 1.6)

1.6 Confidential sources of information are protected
by law and/or the courts.
Confidential sources of information are not protected in Swaziland. In fact, the
Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1938 requires every Swazi citizen over the
age of 18 to be a competent and compellable witness. As such, according to the
law, all citizens - including journalists - can be required to divulge their sources
under all circumstances. Failure to do so could result in a conviction for contempt
of court.
“You can’t say, ‘I can’t comment’. The state will send you to jail for 30, 60 then
90 days until you do comply and divulge your source.”
The 2006 Anti-Corruption Act provides some protection to whistleblowers.
However, it is only in this regard that journalists have a small amount of protection
from revealing their sources.

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:

22

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014

1.1 (2005: 1.0; 2007: 1.0; 2009: 2.0; 2011: 2.0)

Select target paragraph3