4.6 Journalists and editors do not practice self-censorship. ANALYSIS: Reporters and editors are still afraid of antagonizing authorities and business. Self-censorship is a reality in newsrooms. Score – 2,1,1,1,1,1,2,1 = 1.3 4.7 Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. ANALYSIS: Owners still interfere with editorial independence. Score – 1,1,1,1,1,1,2,1 = 1.1 4.8 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate to discourage corruption. ANALYSIS: Since the arrival of Lesotho Times, media salaries have changed as owners tried to retain their staff that was being offered more competitive salaries by the new competitor. Lesotho Times’ salaries meet regional standards. It was not unheard of for reporters to work for three years without payment. Journalists would attend events just to get a meal. On the other hand media houses say they are not making enough money to offer high remuneration. It was suggested that MISA conducts a salary survey for journalists and other media workers. Score – 1,2,2,1,1,1,1,2 = 1.4 4.9 Training facilities offer formal qualification programmes for journalists as well as opportunities to upgrade their skills. ANALYSIS: Formal qualifications are offered, but practitioners still come out with no knowledge: IEMS (NUL) offers a media qualification but there is a concern that the programme is part of an English department which focuses attention on linguistics rather than media. In addition, media professionals are not involved in either training or development of the programme. Most students with an interest in the media still have to go to South Africa to further their studies. Unfortunately many do not return to Lesotho. So This Is Democracy? 2008 -172- Media Institute of Southern Africa