given the go-ahead to operate. Rádio Ecclésia faces the same problem and is still unable to broadcast to the whole country on shortwave. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.9 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.0 Government promotes a political and economic environment which allows a diverse media landscape. ANALYSIS: The political environment that could promote diversity of the media still leaves much to be desired. In the recent past, many journalists faced police sanctions and had to answer in court for publishing certain materials. Although the situation tends to change in a positive direction, the environment for the free exercise of journalism remains flawed since laws such as the State Secrets Act and the Act on National Security are not clear on what can and cannot be published. This state of affairs prevails despite regional and international conventions designed to gradually reduce the monopoly of the state media and calling for more freedom of the press. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.0 2.10 Private media outlets operate as efficient and professional businesses. ANALYSIS: Although the private media survive with difficulty, they strive to be increasingly more efficient. But the weak financial standing of the private media weakens the efficiency of its operations in general and its professional standards in particular. Private newspapers carry a substantial proportion of opinion, which turns them into vehicles for the circulation of opinions of journalists who work there. In addition, the bad financial situation can open the way to corruption, even if only on a small scale. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 2 2.0 2.11. State print media are not subsidised with taxpayers’ money. ANALYSIS: The state media enjoys its own allocations in the overall state budget, from public funds and the taxes that citizens pay to the state. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2005 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.3 -180- Media Institute of Southern Africa