SECTOR 3 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: 1.6 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 1.2; 2011: 1.0) 3.3 The body, which regulates broadcasting services and licences, does so in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. Because the Swaziland Communications Commission has not yet begun to issue licences, it cannot be determined if it would do so fairly and in the public interest. However, considering the strong role of the government in the appointment of the board, as discussed in the previous indicator, it is likely that this process would be biased towards the interests of the country’s rulers and the maintenance of the status quo. The SPTC continues to be the only legal body that is allowed to issue radio broadcasting licences. However, this process is not transparent, and appears to be stalled in legislative limbo. Panellists doubted whether the broadcasting bills would be tabled by Parliament in their current form, because of their progressive nature - in that they would open up the airwaves to other players and possibly to divergent views. Currently, only SBIS broadcasts nationally and, as previously discussed, no dissenting views are permitted on this station. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014 49