SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the State broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. Since 2006, legislative reform has been pending. These reforms are meant to transform and free the broadcasting sector from state control, but this has been a slow process and much of the necessary regulations remain outstanding. An Information and Media Policy exists, which mentions creating a conducive three-tiered environment for public, commercial and community broadcasters. However, this policy, which was developed more than 10 ago, is still not supported by any legislation. The Swaziland Media Communications Act was passed in 2013. Under this Act, a single regulatory structure - the Swaziland Communications Commission was established for all sectors of the communications industry. The regulatory powers of the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC), which regulated the radio sector until the ICT ministry ostensibly took over this responsibility a few years ago, are expected to be transferred to this commission. The regulatory and licencing functions of the Swazi Television Authority (STA) will also be transferred to the new Commission. As such, the commission will become a single regulator for all sectors of the communications industry. Importantly, the STA would no longer be both a player and a regulator, as is currently the case. The board for the Swaziland Communications Commission has been established. However, the commission has not begun operating yet as it does not have the requisite capacity or legislation to do its work, and licences cannot be issued at this stage. Advertisements for staff, including for a CEO, have been placed in the media. Still in the draft stage are the general Swaziland Broadcasting Bill to regulate commercial and community broadcasting, as well as the Swaziland Public Broadcasting Bill. The latter would pave the way for Swazi TV and SBIS to be merged into one state broadcaster. The Swaziland Media Communications Act does not go into specifics about the regulations pertaining to the broadcasting sector. The broadcasting acts therefore need to be in place for the commission to be able to do its work. 46 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014