While the kingdom of Eswatini's constitution nominally protects press freedoms, the operational space for journalists and news outlets reveals a climate of self-censorship and government oversight that significantly curtails the free flow of information. Outlets like the Swazi Observer, Eswatini Television, and Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) are directly controlled by the state, serving largely as mouthpieces for official government narratives and the royal family. Critical reporting is rare, and their content typically aligns with the prevailing political discourse. In contrast, privately owned newspapers such as The Times of Eswatini often navigate a precarious path, attempting to offer a semblance of independent reporting while exercising extreme caution to avoid repercussions. This inherent self-censorship is a direct response to a history of arrests, harassment, and even the shutdown of media outlets or sections that dared to challenge the status quo too overtly.