SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.2 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3 2.9 (2006= 3.4) The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. ANALYSIS: The media generally are not doing enough to get the other side of the story. There is too little analysis and in-depth coverage of issues of national importance. It is common practice to come across misleading and sensational headlines in news prints in particular in the tabloids. The government owned Daily News seems to be on a better footing as regards accuracy. The reporting seems to focus on minds of leaders. Newspapers focus a lot on politics and reporting is not issue driven. Using of stringers was cited to be a root cause to this reporting phenomenon. Furthermore, there is no diversity of expert writers contributing to the papers. Apparently it is the same political analysts who are given space. One of the reasons cited was that a lot of people do not dare to come forward and express their opinion(s) in writing. Another underlying cause is the decline of quality teaching and research at the university which does not produce top experts as expected. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.3 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 2.8 (2006= 2.1) The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local and investigative stories. ANALYSIS: The standard of professionalism is still low. A study conducted in 2007 on media coverage indicated that politics followed by crime and sports stories take prominence. Reporting on HIV/ AIDS and Gender is still characterised with stigmatization and stereotyping respectively. There is also a lot of sensationalism. However, it was noted that generally speaking there are efforts being made to improve the state of affairs. One panellist said that since there is improvement even academia is now accepting media citations in academic work. Investigative journalism is on the rise and the media has in the recent past exposed major scandals involving high placed government and ruling party officials. However journalists still lack skills in analyses and interpretation of issues. Other challenges in covering the full spectrum of issues and events include difficulties in accessing information in Government and public offices; lack of specialization; hostile working conditions, corruption and lack of training. So This Is Democracy? 2008 -241- Media Institute of Southern Africa