3.9 The public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country ANALYSIS: MBC’s two radio channels are technically accessible in 90 per cent of the country, while TVM boasts 70 per cent coverage. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.10 5, 3, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4 4.1 (2006 = 3.8) The public broadcaster offers diverse programming for all interests ANALYSIS: MBC Radio One tends to carry a diverse range of a general nature of programming, while Radio Two is slightly tilted towards commercialisation and entertainment. They both carry news bulletins in all key languages of Malawi. TVM has educational and children’s programmes as well as entertainment and business programmes. However, the bulk of their programmes, lately, are spiritual. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.11 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 1, 4 3.4 (2006 = 3.6) The public broadcaster offers balanced and fair information reflecting the full spectrum of diverse views and opinions ANALYSIS: MBC and TVM offer a diversity of views but deliberately slant them towards the dominant view of the government. In the process, the opposition’s side of the story is usually lacking or pronounced only when it is negative. There is thus diversity with minimal political difference. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.12 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 1.3 (2006 = 2.1) The public broadcaster offers as much diverse and creative local content as economically achievable ANALYSIS: MBC’s radio programming thrives on local content with as much creativity. The current financial squeeze has seen the broadcaster trying outdo its creativity to unfathomable depths. So This Is Democracy? 2008 -189- Media Institute of Southern Africa