There are some efforts under way to cover the full spectrum but these are far from being
satisfactory. Some areas are being left totally unreported while others are not covered properly
and stories are not of good quality.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

4.4.

2, 4, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2
2.4

Gender mainstreaming is promoted in terms of equal participation of
both sexes in the production process.

ANALYSIS:
Some newsrooms do promote equal participation of both sexes. But there are few female
journalists because they are difficult to recruit. One of the reasons why women turn their backs
on journalism is the perceived libertarianism associated with the profession.
Most women journalists work as presenters at television and radio stations. But gradually there
are more women joining the ranks of news journalism. The director of productions in Televisão
de Moçambique is a woman and one of the deputy-editors at Notícias is a woman.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

4.5.

2, 3, 1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 4
2.2

Gender mainstreaming is reflected in the editorial content.

ANALYSIS:
Gender mainstreaming is not reflected in the content. It is difficult to hear or see women’s
voices in the mass media. Furthermore, stereotypes are likely to affect editorial content. Unless
the woman is a high profile person, very few get quoted by the media, which does not bode
well for diversity. Mostly, women are quoted when the topic is a social issue. Rarely is the
connection made that economics is interlinked to gender and human development.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

4.6.

2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3
2.0

Journalists and editors do not practice self-censorship.

ANALYSIS:
Self-censorship is practised although journalists and editors may say otherwise, citing their
own editorial policies. There are various factors contributing to self-censorship, both political
and economic. Self-censorship is rampant in the public/state media.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:
So This Is Democracy? 2005

1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3
1.6
-221-

Media Institute of Southern Africa

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