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: 2.0 (2005 = 3.3; 2007 = 3.0; 2009 = 2.3) 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. There is consensus that the quality of media reports in Zambia often is not accurate or fair. This applies to both state and private media, both of which tend to have specific biases in their reporting – with the state strongly supporting the ruling party/government and the private media giving a voice to the opposition. “Top management within the state media are under pressure to fulfil a pro-government agenda. The journalists also know that they have to go out and find a pro-government angle. There is no choice, no option.” Journalists in Zambia are also known to present source’s quotes out of context or have specific ideas in mind when they interview people: “The newsroom originates the story and then looks for sources to support their point of view.” “...under pressure to fulfil a progovernment agenda.” “Very good people have been tarnished in the media because somewhere in the newsroom a story was twisted.” Some participants pointed fingers at editors, rather than the journalists themselves, as these are the people in charge of shaping the final product. At the same time, journalists know that if they don’t write an article in a certain way for a specific media house, it won’t be considered for publication. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011 57