SECTOR 4 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.5 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. It depends very much on the individual media organisations themselves. Some try hard to establish facts and seek to be fair in what they publish, but there are others who have a more ‘creative’ (fictional) approach. The weekly papers, all of which are private, tend to research their stories thoroughly. They are also more liberal. In the public sector media, there is a tendency to protect the boss (the ruling party and the government); according to a saying “the goat eats where it is tied to” . There is resistance in the public sector media to publishing articles critical of the government or the ruling party. « the goat eats where it is tied to » The private media are more outspoken, attempting to cover issues that are generally shunned by their counterparts in the public sector. There are, however, journalists both in the public and the private sector who strive to adhere to certain professional standards. In their news programmes, the private sector media seek to meet the need of the public for reliable information. There is a need for debate in society as to what constitutes public interest. Civil society and pressure groups have been pressurising the government to place more focus on the public interest. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ANGOLA 2010 115