SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.9 2, 2, 3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 3 2.8 (2006 = 1.9) The public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country. ANALYSIS: More than 90 % of South Africans can receive SABC’s radio and television signals with radio coming close to 100 %. The broadcaster’s programmes are also accessible through web casts, mobile phones and satellite. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.10 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4 4.7 (2006 = 4.0) The public broadcaster offers diverse programming for all interests. ANALYSIS: Local productions on TV have increased remarkably over the last few years and this makes for more interesting viewing and diverse programming. Unfortunately, such material is often not broadcast during prime time and there are still too many repeats. Investment in South African drama productions and documentaries is still limited. It seems that programme designers at SABC TV are mainly concerned with satisfying the younger generation – a prime target group for advertisers. There is a lack of meaningful talk shows and discussions on TV. Those that do exist, are very short (30 minutes) and interspersed with repeated long commercial intervals. Satire or political comedy are missing completely. The coverage of events in Africa has improved with the opening of bureaus in several countries on the continent. The quality of reporting on recent elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe was evidence of this positive development. - There is still a paucity of productions from the rest of Africa. SABC education continues to produce quality programmes, partly sponsored by government and not influenced by commercial interests. Radio programming is much more diverse with quite a number of talk shows, radio drama, and interesting music shows. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2008 4, 4, 5, 2, 5, 5, 3, 4, 3 3.9 (2006 = 3.0) -214- Media Institute of Southern Africa