In broadcasting, there are two complaints bodies – one statutory and one voluntary – and broadcasters themselves decide which one they want to fall under. The statutory Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) is part of ICASA. The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) is a self-regulatory body under the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Both bodies have essentially the same code and similar sanctions. SABC and commercial operators, being members of the NAB, have opted for self-regulation. Most community broadcasters fall under the CCC, because they cannot afford membership in the NAB. The CCC comprises eight members who are appointed by ICASA after a public nominations process and are supposed to be independent from ICASA (although presently one ICASA councillor also sits on the committee). With ICASA being in charge of regulating broadcasting and telecommunications, CCC deals with complaints from both sectors. - For some strange reason, the NAB commission is currently chaired by an ICASA councillor, a fact which puts the independence of the BCCSA into question. There is also the Advertising Standards Authority, which is self-regulatory. It seems to be truly independent, given the fact that its decisions are frequently criticized by the advertising agencies which make up the membership of the authority. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.2 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 3 4.2 (2006 = 4.2) The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. ANALYSIS: Since the advent of tabloids two years ago, there seems to be less concern with facts also in mainstream media and a tendency to sensationalise stories in order to outstrip the competition. There are sometimes screaming headlines which do not match the story. Billboards also use misleading headlines to sell papers, such as “Zuma: Shower cures AIDS”, referring to the admission of Jacob Zuma in court that he had taken a shower after having sex with an HIV positive woman – implying to the innocent reader that showers might indeed be an effective antidote to AIDS. Tabloids obviously do not adhere to codes of professional journalistic standards. Although there may be reasonable doubt that these products are indeed newspapers, people buy them as such – with the result that their reckless treatment of facts and ‘news’ tends to damage the reputation of the entire profession. There is subliminal bias and racism in many papers. Inaccuracies occur by omission of important facts. There is a high level of awareness of these problems in all sections of the media industry and all media assert that they are striving for accuracy and fairness. They are hampered in part by a severe skills shortage and the ongoing juniorisation of news rooms. Retiring full time employees such as experienced subeditors are often replaced by contract workers. Sometimes editors seem to have lost touch with realities on the ground. A case in point is the So This Is Democracy? 2008 -217- Media Institute of Southern Africa