SECTOR 1 1.8 Websites, blogs and other digital platforms are not required to register with, or obtain permission, from state authorities. “Until the state catches up with it, the internet will remain a free space.” Websites and blogs are not required to register with or obtain permission to operate from state authorities. There have been threats of clamping down on dissenting voices on social media, but nothing has come of these threats. “Luckily the state is ignorant of these new technologies, so this has helped citizens disseminate pro-democracy information of a sensitive nature.” 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: 4.8 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 4.2; 2011: 4.9) 1.9 The state does not seek to block or filter Internet content unless in accordance with laws that provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society, and which are applied by independent courts. There are no laws that the state uses to filter internet content. However, it is common knowledge that the army and the Swaziland National Security Agency control and monitor the internet gateway to the country. Panellists noted that photographs and web pages have allegedly been removed after state interference on content considered to be anti-government. While social media, such as Facebook and WhatsApp, is generally still a “freefor-all”, threats have been made by officials about clamping down on dissenting voices in this space. The prime minister, for example, has threatened to take action against people blogging about citizens’ dissatisfaction with King Mswati’s regime 24 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014