4.3 The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local and investigative stories ANALYSIS: The diversity of content in the Malawi media is self-evident and has been well captured by NAMISA’s annual media awards which recognise excellence in sports, environment, business, education, investigation and photo-journalism. There is specialization going on in the broadcast media, for example where issues of business, health, the environment and culture are gaining popularity. The coverage of these issues is also being recognised by the different training courses such as on investigating corruption by such missions as the Cassals and Associates of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and business reporting by the Programme on Economic Governance of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.4 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 3 3.9 (2006 = 3.3) Gender mainstreaming is promoted in terms of equal participation of both sexes in the production process ANALYSIS: There are in Malawi role model lady media workers that are gaining or have gained recognition. These include Villant Ndasowa (independent flm maker), Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma (Zodiak Radio), Rhoda Zulu (Story Workshop) and June Lutwama (Director, Star Radio). Over the past two years there have been lady journalists who have claimed media awards such as Rebecca Theu (Nation Publications Limited) and Thereza Chirwa (Zodiak Radio). There are also lady media trainers who have enthused many female students interested in the media. The general mood is that it should be possible in the near future for both sexes to compete evenly for media ventures. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.5 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4 3.2 (2006 = 2.3) Gender mainstreaming is reflected in the editorial content ANALYSIS: There has been increased coverage of women issues over the past two years as a result of increased participation of women in society. This is reflected in the editorial content of newspapers such as Malawi News’ Female supplement or Weekend Nation’s ‘Society’ supplement. Women So This Is Democracy? 2008 -191- Media Institute of Southern Africa