4.7 Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. ANALYSIS: Editors are increasingly being roped into managerial decisions at board level. Managements of media houses underline the fact that they, too, must play their part in making their publications profitable. This leads to the danger of editors paying more heed to commercial considerations rather than editorial commitments, with all the negative impact on their independence and the quality of stories. What used to be known as the “Chinese wall” - the strict separation between editorial and advertising content – seems to have broken down, in both print and broadcast media (with the exception of the Mail & Guardian). Stories with a possible negative impact on advertisers (and thus on advertising revenue) are not as readily published now as they were perhaps a decade ago. Advertorials are on the increase and all too often not distinguishable from editorial content, for example in the Financial Mail and Tribute magazines. Budget issues and commercial pressures to appeal to particular audiences are also seen as limiting an editor’s ability to choose her/his editorial mix. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.8 3, 1, 3, 1, 2, 4, 2, 1, 2 2.1 (2006 = 2.5) Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate to discourage corruption. ANALYSIS: Salaries in the media industry are generally high enough to discourage corruption. An SABC survey showed journalists’ salaries to be market-related or better. On the other hand, in a bid to save money and increase profits media companies are increasingly hiring non-permanent staff as reporters or sub-editors, people who might be more vulnerable to temptations. It does not help the situation that there is no trade union for journalists in place. The biggest problem in this regard is one experienced by all media: a lack of resources to cover stories. In order to travel and cover stories, financial help for accommodation and transport is accepted. This relates to political stories, coverage of government activities, sports, travel, motoring, entertainment, arts and culture etc. This constitutes a serious threat to journalistic independence as journalists feel indebted to their sponsors and under pressure not to be too critical. It also results in editorial choices being made not because of news value but because of the generosity (or otherwise) of the organisers of events. Occasionally, some print media acknowledge the fact that it was possible to realise a particular story thanks to such financial help – but this is not a widespread practice except in relation to travel stories. Freebees (such as cash, cellphones or free travel) from the motor, sports and entertainment industries are quite common and readily accepted by many journalists. Print media and broadcasting have codes and processes meant to prevent corruption. No promSo This Is Democracy? 2008 -220- Media Institute of Southern Africa