Investigative reporting has also suffered because most experienced journalists tend to be promoted and stop writing. Therefore, there is a need to train new journalists in investigative reporting all the time. Many others leave the profession for greener pastures, especially in public relations. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.4 3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3 3.0 Journalists and editors do not practice self-censorship. ANALYSIS: As far as possible editors try not to censor themselves. But they do face some cultural constraints, such as respect for elders. Sometimes self-censorship is practiced when editors do not cover a story on prominent people who are misbehaving and abusing their office. Editors have to live with an “unbelieving society” that thinks newspapers are quite prepared to make up their stories. However, the situation has not become so serious as to have reached a “stage of unhealthiness”. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.5 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3 2.5 Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. ANALYSIS: Journalists are generally free to write what they want and only editors check their stories to make sure they are accurate and balanced. Unlike in Britain, for example, newspapers in Botswana are non-aligned economically, politically or otherwise and editors are encouraged to be independent and non-partisan. This is included in their mission statements and holds true for most print media – with the exception of government media. The daily Mmegi, for example, has an editorial charter which ensures the independence of the editor and clarifies the relationship between the editor, the board of directors and the rest of the Botswana society in as far as his or her professional work is concerned. At one radio station there have been incidents of running battles between journalists and the chairman of the board of directors, with journalists left unprotected by their station manager. Nevertheless, they stood up to the chairman whenever this happened, until they were fired from the station. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.6 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3 3.0 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate to discourage corruption. ANALYSIS: So This Is Democracy? 2005 -204- Media Institute of Southern Africa