SECTOR 3

staff are guided about what they can talk about on air and certain content is just
not allowed.”
Panellists noted that the cessation of the phone-in programmes on SBIS was a loss
in terms of public interest programming.
While there may be some level of diversity in terms of state programming, the
quality is questionable, as there is little depth to these reports because the
journalists do not provide any analysis or deeper questioning on the issues.
“What good is it if we can’t engage properly with issues, like those which suppress
women and children every day? Certain topics are simply ignored by Swazi TV and
SBIS and there are no critical programmes.”
The siSwati SBIS 1 channel offers vernacular-language programming, while Swazi
TV has English and siSwati news bulletins and a small number of programmes in
siSwati, though these are mostly religious in nature.

Scores:
Individual scores:

54

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:

2.1 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: n/a; 2011: n/a)

Average score for sector 3:

1.6

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014

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