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: 			

1.4

4.7
Journalists and media have integrity and are
not corrupt.
Corruption is widespread; it is not restricted to journalists. In a country where
everybody uses their professional position to their own financial gain corruption
covers almost all sectors of society. There is corruption in both the private and
public sectors of the media. There are blackmail cases where unscrupulous
journalists particularly from the private media contact certain individuals they
have sensitive information about, demanding they pay a certain amount of money
if they do not want to see their public image tarnished.
A case (not confirmed) was pointed out of at least one influential businessman
who is alleged to pay journalists frequently in order to appear in the media.
Another case is that of a journalist who was arrested for attempted extortion
against the former Minister of Tourism, Jorge Valentim. There is also the case of
a provincial governor who seldom appears in the media, apparently because he
does not provide financial incentives for journalists to cultivate his image in the
public sphere.
Problems with the relatively low salaries were given as the main reason for
corruption in the media. For example, it was said that only 2-3 percent of Angolan
journalists own a house. With a monthly salary of US$1,000 and a family of four,
it is almost impossible to have a decent living. Anyone in Angola needs at least
two vehicles in order to meet their daily needs in an adequate manner. It was said
that journalists in Angola have no moral authority to denounce corruption and
that there is no moral entity capable of putting an end to corrupt practices in the
country. However, it is important to note that, despite everything, Angola is home
to decent people, including media professionals who refuse to get involved in acts
of corruption.

120

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ANGOLA 2010

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