Overall score for sector 3: 2.0 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: In the mid-nineties of the last century there were some efforts to establish a media council but this became dormant very soon. In 2002 MISA Namibia gave it another try: it developed a new code of conduct and created the position of a media ombudsman. The code of conduct, however, was not accepted and followed by the entire media fraternity and it is not being enforced by a self-regulatory body. The office of the media ombudsman is defunct and has in fact never been active. Media owners and editors did not buy into the process from the beginning and claimed there was not sufficient consultation. The fact that MISA Namibia was pushing the process was seen by some as the problem. Differences of opinion came up not just between government and private media but also between the Namibian and the Republikein, two private newspapers, over their opposing roles before independence – “which means it is not possible for them to be part of a same process or initiative”. Now MISA Namibia seems to have lost the momentum. Although there is an urgent need for the media to regulate themselves - both to prevent government stepping in to enforce a state controlled regulatory body and to provide a channel for readers, listeners and viewers to lodge complaints - the media themselves do not see this as a priority. “It is either politics or empire building or bad blood, but the main issue is that they don’t see the need for it at all.” There was consensus that reviving the self-regulatory body should be a priority. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.2 2, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2 2.3 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. ANALYSIS: Although many panel members cited negative experiences with the media, there was agreement that in general the media do try to be accurate and fair. Journalists do try to get the facts, but sometimes they are not able to. Newspapers compete with each other and journalists have to meet deadlines. Sometimes newsmakers who refuse to comment or do not return calls have to be blamed for the lack of balance. Another issue is the level of skills of journalists, which also impedes on their work. In addition, many newsrooms are understaffed and journalists often have too many stories to finish in one day. So This Is Democracy? 2005 -238- Media Institute of Southern Africa