Overall score for sector 3: 1.5 Sector 4. The media practice high levels of professional standards. 4.1 The media follow voluntary codes of professional standards which are enforced by self-regulatory bodies. ANALYSIS: There is no self-regulatory body. There were two attempts to establish such a voluntary organisation with little success. The Conselho Superior da Comunicação Social (CSCS) [Mass Media High Council, a state body charged by the constitution to ensure the independence of information institutions (read ‘media’), press freedom, the right to information, as well as the rights of reply and right to airtime, among others] follows internationally accepted standards, but there is no specific code. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.2 2, 1, 2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1 2.3 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. ANALYSIS: Not always. Sometimes the information in the stories looks incomplete. Some basic principles of journalism are simply not followed. It must be pointed out that this can not be generalised. Sometimes it has to do with the journalist not having enough knowledge of the subject matter or because the journalist tends to believe in the source unquestioningly and ends up producing stories with incorrect information. Most reporters are young and they try to gain immediate recognition by publishing sensational stories. The shortcomings are worrying. Media professionals believe that there should be a self-regulatory body that would discipline the sector. Meanwhile, there is an increase in the number of court cases against journalists, and this will continue until journalists learn to respect the basic principles of the profession. But it is also a matter of editors making better decisions on whom to employ. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.3 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3 2.0 The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local and investigative stories. ANALYSIS: So This Is Democracy? 2005 -220- Media Institute of Southern Africa