4.7. Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. ANALYSIS: Historically, the owners are journalists who have become businessmen. This is quite evident when editorial content clashes with economic interests. Invariably, the owner will decide to quash a story to survive. Furthermore, the situation becomes fuzzy when - as an example - the owner is also a media consultant for the country’s telecommunications company and largest retail shop. In the public sector, government may use subtlety to interfere, like dropping hints about – among other things - not renewing the appointment of the chairman of the board. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.8. 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1, 1, 3 1.9 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate to discourage corruption. ANALYSIS: Salary levels vary. Independent papers have difficulties paying competitive salaries. The minimum wage at the weekly O País is 1.14 million meticais (US$46), and the Zambeze pays as much as 5 million meticais. Some newspapers provide benefits to keep journalists interested. In contrast, new-comers to the paper Notícias earn around 8 million meticais. The publiclyowned Televisão de Moçambique (TVM) tops the list. The minimum wage is said to be 10 million meticais. However, Notícias and TVM are exceptions rather than the norm. The low wages increase the risk of journalists being exposed to corruption. Some journalists receive money from ministers to look after their public image. Some journalists provide consultancy services to ministries and companies. There are rules against taking “presents” but they are not always adhered to. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.9. 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3 1.7 Training facilities offer formal qualification programmes for journalists as well as opportunities to upgrade their skills. ANALYSIS: Training is offered through a plethora of courses, but there are doubts as to whether they meet the expectations of the beneficiaries. The main problem is the quality of courses, and the way they are designed. Courses are offered at a pre-university level by the Journalism School and at degree level by the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) and the Instituto Superior Politécnico e Universitário So This Is Democracy? 2005 -222- Media Institute of Southern Africa