SECTOR 4 4.6 Journalists and editors do not practise self-censorship in in the private broadcasting and print media. The environment in which journalists work in Swaziland, constrained as it is by the pervasive power of the monarchy and tradition, makes self-censorship common practice. Journalists working for public and private media houses are equally affected, with SBIS journalists and programme hosts treading particularly carefully to avoid serious consequences. “Journalists find themselves in a catch-22. They don’t know what could get them into trouble… There is fear of the unknown, of stepping on important toes, even of being dismissed. So they have second-thoughts about writing certain stories, especially about the royalty.” An article by the Times on Sunday about the king’s homestead being extended resulted in the paper’s publisher and managing editor being summoned to the royal court, where the king informed them that any stories related to the king’s property did not belong in the newspaper. “This is difficult as so much in Swaziland is connected to the monarchy in some way or another.” Self-censorship is not only a result of political and cultural pressure, but can also come from commercial interests (or lack thereof) as the Bushfire and Pick n Pay examples (indicator 2.13) demonstrate. “Publishers know that if articles are written criticising their advertisers, these adverts will be pulled, so they don’t explore such issues.” As a result, much of the journalism in Swaziland is “toned down” and lacks depth. While cultural events, such as the annual Reed Dance, may be covered by the media, they have to take a positive slant. “As journalists, we sometimes feel that if we can’t tell the whole story, what is the point? So self-censorship definitely affects the quality of our work.” Panellists noted that about 90 percent of Swazis come from rural areas, where land is held in trust by the king. “If you offend the monarch, even if you live in Mbabane, your family, your mother and father, could be evicted from the rural areas. So people know they must shut up or face the consequences.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Swaziland 2014 63