SECTOR 4 The media practise high levels of professional standards. 4.1 The media follow voluntary codes of professional standards, which are enforced by self–regulatory bodies that deal with complaints from the public. Since 2008, there have been significant developments in the standard of journalism, although various problems remain. The Newspaper Proprietor’s Association, supported by the Editors’ Guild, appointed an Ombudsman in 2009. This presents a major step in improving the quality, ethics and standards of journalism in the country. Unfortunately, the public is not yet sufficiently informed about the existence of the institution; as such relatively few complaints have been received from the public so far. Newspapers are taking steps to educate their employees and the public on issues of ethics. Some of them publish excerpts from the Code of Conduct in their newspapers regularly. Media Trust Co., the owner of Daily Trust, Weekly Trust and Sunday Trust, has a zero tolerance to bribery and corruption of staff. The company’s “No Thanks” policy consists of publishing a ‘NO THANKS’ section in the newspaper that clearly states that its staff is paid salaries and gratification, and should therefore not be given a Naira by any person. It further invites anyone from whom any of the newspaper’s reporters asks for any financial compensation, to report such reporter to the management of the newspaper. The state media have also developed internal codes. The Nigerian Press Council, an initiative of the government, is a highly controversial body. It is a government-appointed board to regulate the media sector and to listen to complaints. It is placed under the authority of the Minister of Information, and has little respect within the media. In spite of efforts spearheaded by both the government and the industry to uphold professional standards, the response from the vast majority of media owners and journalists has not been strong. Poor and irregular wages has made compliance with existing ethical codes difficult. Some media owners believe the professional card is a pass for reporters to raise money through tips and bribes. 46 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011