SECTOR 3

“Most people only watch the news on Swazi TV, and not the other programmes,
so they don’t feel they should pay the licence fee.”
State radio and television are also funded partially by advertising fees, as well as
fees paid to have pre-recorded programmes broadcast, usually by NGOs. Again,
however, panellists did not know the extent of this funding. It was felt that these
state broadcasters do not receive pressure over editorial content from commercial
interests.
“There is some advertising money coming in for TV and radio, but this money is
not enough which is why the state broadcasters rely on government’s support.”

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:

1.1 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 2.4; 2011: 2.3)

3.7 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests including local content and quality public interest programmes.
While some panellists felt the state broadcasters offered a diversity of programmes,
with SBIS radio offering a variety of music programmes catering to lovers of jazz
and reggae, for example, most said they simply didn’t know about television
broadcasts as they do not watch the state channel.
Approximately 70 percent of SBIS radio programmes are reportedly produced by
civil society organisations. As such there is some diversity in the topics presented
on social, economic, development and health programmes. These organisations
do not have to pay to have their programmes aired “unless they are perceived
to be problematic” - possibly as a means of deterring them. Individuals or
organisations who wish to have announcements aired must pay a fee for these.
“Programmes on soft issues are commonly aired on SBIS, but one rarely hears
anything on the harder issues of the Constitution, politics or human rights. SBIS

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014

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