Issue
In Eswatini, recent developments such as the enactment of the Broadcasting Act 2023 offer some promise in advancing freedom of expression; however, the ongoing shrinking of civic space and limited representation of community media continue to constrain open public discourse.
Project partners
How we are helping
This project aims to promote a more inclusive media landscape in Eswatini by equipping artists and civil society actors to participate in policy processes to advance freedom of expression, and raising public awareness of the challenges faced by community voices.
About the project
Freedom of expression in Eswatini remains under significant pressure due to restrictive laws, limited access to diverse media platforms, and the marginalisation of diverse voices. Artists and civil society actors face barriers to meaningful participation in policy processes, while community stories often go untold due to a lack of resources and inadequate protections for those who speak out. These challenges undermine transparency, accountability and democratic engagement across the country.
Project partner, Coordinating Assembly of NGOs in Eswatini, will work in partnership with Arterial Network and Eswatini Community Multimedia Network to advocate for inclusive policy processes that will enable a more open public discourse.
This will be achieved by:
- training members of the media consortium on policy analysis, ethical reporting and strategic communication, as well as on policy engagement and legislative processes
- developing a policy toolkit to support advocacy efforts
- establishing two community radio stations in two regions and launching a digital platform for real time community feedback
- conducting a research study on existing laws, policies, and practices that infringe on the rights to freedom of creative expression
- convening a stakeholder meeting with policy-makers and key stakeholders to share the findings and recommendations of the research study
- developing ethical reporting guidelines in line with the Broadcasting Act 2023 and distributing them to media stakeholders
- supporting artists in producing creative works that highlight community challenges, to be showcased in three public exhibitions.
As a result of this project, it is hoped that community voices will be better represented in policy processes, leading to safer public discourse across a diverse range of media platforms.
Project Partners
The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations, (CANGO) was established in 1983 primarily as a network for NGOs working in primary healthcare in Swaziland. CANGO’s overall mandate is to ensure a well-functioning, vibrant and coordinated civil society which is empowered to improve the quality of life for the marginalised in society. CANGO's strength is in its members, with over 70 member organisations covering a range of development programmes.
Arterial Network is a vibrant pan-African network of civil society that brings together artists, organisations and institutions involved in the creative sector. Its creation was motivated by a desire among African cultural actors to take charge of the creative sector and effect change in the areas of good governance, access to information, strengthening of civil society, and equality. The network is engaged for advice and consultation on artistic, cultural and development issues.
Eswatini Community Multimedia Network (SCMN) is an Eswatini-based organisation focused on media access and community empowerment. SCMN promotes community radio and digital inclusion by training local volunteers, supporting grassroots stations, and advocating for fair media licensing. SCMN envisions a country where all communities have access to independent, locally relevant media that informs, educates, and empowers.
We support people's participation in democracy and development by providing grants, platforms, and expertise.
