At broadcasting houses there are now more female board members than two years ago. The SABC has gender mainstreaming policies in place and transformation has become more visible. These improvements have been helped by the fact that gender equity is part of the licence conditions for all broadcasters. The Employment Equity Act requires that equity targets be met in all industries. In the print media, though, there is still a tendency to fast-track black males at the expense of women. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.5 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3 3.6 (2006 = 2.6) Gender mainstreaming is reflected in the editorial content. ANALYSIS: With the rise of women to elevated positions in government and business in South Africa, more women’s voices and images are appearing in the media. There has been much publicity around this area and most media make a conscious effort to be more sensitive about women’s issues. Despite this positive development, women are still not consciously sought out as sources for news and views. Commentary is still coloured by male perspectives as most of the commentators and columnists are men. There are also many examples of women still being portrayed as sex objects, for example on the back pages of some newspapers, through sexy images in tabloids and advertisements and in the way women are directed to move, dress and act in music videos. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.6 4, 4, 3, 2, 3, 2, 4, 3, 3 3.1 (2006 = 2.4) Journalists and editors do not practice self-censorship. ANALYSIS: Editors and journalists are aware of the potential pitfalls of reporting unpopular news especially when it concerns prominent people or where it involves advertisers. Editors in particular weigh the consequences of their decisions – is it worth the risk to publish a certain story? The facts in the exposé on the health minister’s alleged unbecoming behaviour during a hospital stay, for example, had been known to many in journalistic circles for some time but it was left to a powerful newspaper like the Sunday Times to actually publish them. Corruption stories around the preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup are frequently spiked – to protect the interests of the country. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2008 3, 1, 3, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1, 3 2.2 (2006 = 2.3) -219- Media Institute of Southern Africa