ticle only to find a different story printed. Polarisation of the media has resulted in hate speech and hate language being used particularly by columnists writing in the state media. Stories on health or social issues, on the other hand, are generally more balanced. Politics also taint the way privately owned publications approach a story. Up until quite recently, political activists and thus private newspapers were generally in favour of the opposition MDC. Now, many journalists and editors feel disappointed by the party of their choice and are seeking to keep a greater distance – which may serve to professionalise their work. Online publications are among the worst offenders against the principles of accuracy and fairness. Stories tend to have a sensational slant and many stories are based on rumour and not fact. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.3 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 2 2.1 (2006 = 2.3) The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business / economics, cultural, local and investigative stories. ANALYSIS: Business and political news are the two topics that are being taken seriously in newsrooms while other issues receive superficial treatment. There are hardly any investigative stories and there is little or no interest in social and cultural issues. Coverage of rural stories and social issues is extremely poor. Recently artists have reported that they are paying for coverage of their products in the print and the electronic media. The Herald is predominantly political in nature while some independent papers try to give a total package by covering business and politics, as well as special interests among a broad range of issues. The reasons for the lack of investigative stories are many: • There is a shortage of personnel in the newsrooms and often journalists have to cover several beats. The Zimbabwe Independent has six journalists and The Standard eight. Among them they are expected to cover the broad range of topics to be carried in a weekly paper, including business and political news. • There is a shortage of journalists who specialise in certain genres. • Media organisations lack the resources to support their journalists in pursuing in-depth and well researched investigative pieces. Investigative stories currently being carried in the media rely exclusively on documents which are often minutes of meetings, memos or court records. Many have only one source. • The majority of journalists are not mobile. Often so called investigative pieces get written when someone walks into the newsroom and provides information which is used without questioning the motives of the informer. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2008 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3, 2, 3 2.5 (2006 = 1.8) -276- Media Institute of Southern Africa