ALL Eswatini Newspapers (Swaziland Newspapers)

A Guide to the Press of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of the Kingdom of Eswatini, a nation with a unique and highly controlled media landscape. The press in Africa’s last absolute monarchy operates in a challenging environment where all media, both state-controlled and privately-owned, function under the close watch of the monarchy. Publishing in both English and siSwati, the nation’s newspapers provide a window into the official and social life of the Kingdom, but operate with significant restrictions on what can be reported.

The Mainstream Press: A Duopoly of Influence

The newspaper market in Eswatini is dominated by two main publishing groups, one effectively state-controlled and the other privately owned.

• The Times of Eswatini Group:

  • Times of Eswatini: As the Kingdom’s only privately-owned and independent daily newspaper, the Times holds a crucial position in the media landscape. Founded in 1897, it is the country’s oldest newspaper. While it strives to provide a degree of independent reporting, it operates under immense pressure and practices a high level of self-censorship to survive.
  • The group also publishes the Eswatini News on Saturdays and the Times of Eswatini Sunday.

• The Eswatini Observer Group:

  • Eswatini Observer: This daily newspaper is owned by Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, a royal trust fund controlled by the King.³ As such, it is a state-controlled publication that serves as a pro-monarchy and pro-government voice, providing the official perspective on national events.
  • The group also includes the Saturday Observer and the Sunday Observer.

A Severely Restricted Media Environment

It is essential to understand that Eswatini has one of the most restrictive media environments in the world. The constitution provides for freedom of expression, but in practice, criticizing the King, the royal family, or the traditional “Tinkhundla” system of governance is strictly forbidden.⁵ Journalists face a constant threat of harassment, intimidation, and arrest, leading to pervasive self-censorship across all domestic media outlets.

The Rise of Exiled and Digital Media

Due to the tight control on domestic media, a number of online news outlets operating from exile have become vital sources for independent and critical journalism.

• Swaziland News: This powerful online investigative newspaper, run by exiled journalists from South Africa, has become a leading source of uncensored news and critical reporting on the monarchy and government. Its website is frequently blocked by authorities within Eswatini.
• Other Online Portals: The websites of the two main newspaper groups are also key sources of daily information for Swazis at home and in the diaspora.

State Broadcasting

The state’s influence extends to broadcasting, with the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Service (EBIS) operating the main radio channels and Eswatini TV controlling the television landscape.

To navigate the news from Eswatini, it is crucial to understand the distinction between the state-controlled press and the carefully self-censored independent outlets within its borders, as well as the critical role played by exiled media. Explore our collection at w3worldnewspapers.com to access the full spectrum of voices from the Kingdom of Eswatini.

A Guide to the Press of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of the Kingdom of Eswatini, a nation with a unique and highly controlled media landscape. As one of the world’s last absolute monarchies, the press in Eswatini operates under significant restrictions. The media environment is characterized by a duopoly of two major newspaper groups—one state-controlled and one private—and a growing digital space where exiled media play a crucial role in providing independent, critical journalism. Publications are in both English and siSwati.

The National Press: A Two-Pillar System

The daily and weekly news in Eswatini is dominated by two competing newspaper groups.

• Eswatini Observer: This group of newspapers (Eswatini Observer, Saturday Observer, Sunday Observer) is owned by Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, a royal trust fund controlled by the King. As such, it is the de facto state-controlled media house, and its editorial content consistently reflects a pro-monarchy and pro-government stance. It is a primary source for understanding the official government narrative.

• Times of Eswatini: As the only privately-owned, independent newspaper group in the Kingdom, the Times of Eswatini holds a unique and vital position. Founded in 1897, it is the country’s oldest newspaper. It provides a degree of alternative perspective and more critical reporting than its state-controlled counterpart. However, it operates under immense political and economic pressure, which necessitates a high degree of self-censorship to survive. Its publications include the daily Times of Eswatini and the Times of Eswatini Sunday.

The Crucial Role of Exiled and Online Media

Due to the severe restrictions on press freedom within the country, some of the most hard-hitting and critical journalism concerning Eswatini comes from outlets operating in exile.

• Swaziland News: This powerful, investigative online newspaper is run by exiled journalists from South Africa. It is known for its fearless reporting on corruption, human rights abuses, and the pro-democracy movement. Its website is consistently blocked by the authorities within Eswatini, but it remains a vital source of uncensored information for many citizens and the international community.

A Highly Restricted Media Environment

It is essential to understand that Eswatini has one of the most restrictive media environments in the world and ranks very low in global press freedom indexes. The constitution grants the king supreme power over all branches of government, including the press. Criticism of the monarch is considered a serious offense, and journalists face the constant threat of harassment, lawsuits, and arrest.¹² This climate forces any media operating within the country’s borders to practice extreme caution. The state also controls the main broadcasters, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Service (EBIS) and Eswatini TV.

From the state-controlled daily to the carefully independent private paper and the defiant voice of the exiled press, the media of Eswatini offers a compelling look into a complex and tightly controlled kingdom. Explore our collection at w3worldnewspapers.com to connect with the available voices from the Kingdom of Eswatini.