lion). Journalists throughout the industry do not enjoy benefits such as housing loans, company cars or entertainment allowances. Corruption is rampant – but this is not confined to journalists alone. It is a problem of society and the system as a whole. Journalists from the privately owned media could be the most corrupt but they are not. Instead they have chosen to moonlight for foreign based organisations to earn foreign currency (typically US$ 15 per story). This may become problematic and compromise the reputation and professionalism of the organisation that employs them: their stories often break in the foreign media outlets before they appear in the local media. Brown bag journalism (a phrase coined because of hyperinflation and the necessity to carry vast amounts of money) is becoming rife as politicians, sports persons and business people bribe journalists to gain prominence. Journalists are also extorting money from personalities with the promise to keep their images untainted in return. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.9. 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.1 (2006 = 1.4) Training facilities offer formal qualification programmes for journalists as well as opportunities to upgrade their skills. ANALYSIS: Training varies within organisations with most of it being specialised. Most journalists pursue their own training opportunities. Formal training is offered at the University of Zimbabwe Department of Media Studies, Harare Polytechnic, Christian College Of Southern Africa (CCOSA), ILSA, Midlands State University, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) and the UMAA institute. Editors regularly complain about the qualification of graduates from these institutions because they “do not know the basics of news writing and have to be re-trained in MISA workshops”. Institutions such as NUST are facing numerous challenges with lack of resources being the main obstacle to quality teaching. Lecturers are trying to form an organisation of trainers to ensure professional standards are maintained at a high level. The gradual lowering of entry qualifications for tertiary institutions and falling educational standards generally impact heavily on the calibre of students entering universities. Trainers are leaving the country in droves for greener pastures. There are a number of lecturers who are not trained/qualified to teach some of the specialist subjects they are teaching. Training is more theoretical than practical. Infrastructure is dilapidated and equipment outdated. Formal training is offered up to Masters level, while there are also opportunities for upgrading skills through in-house training, regional attachments through institutions such as MISA, and So This Is Democracy? 2008 -279- Media Institute of Southern Africa