Director and Editor-in-Chief, places him in a uniquely powerful position to dictate editorial policy, content and coverage preferences. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1.4 4.6 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate to discourage corruption. ANALYSIS: Salaries are very low and working conditions generally poor. Average monthly salaries after tax are around K800,000 (US $170) for junior reporters and K1,000,000 (US $213) for senior reporters. The salary of a senior reporter barely covers the cost of the food basket estimated at K1,200,000 (US $255) for a family of six. Any additional income is, therefore, readily welcome. The poverty of journalists exposes them to offers of various forms of gratification by sources in return for favourable coverage and promotion of private agendas. It is not unusual for reporters to shun “poor” sources and lackluster events and flock to well-to-do newsmakers and lavish events where they can expect some of their “needs” to be met. This is particularly evident concerning coverage of candidates at election time. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1.3 4.7 Training facilities provide programmes for journalists to upgrade their skills or acquire new skills. ANALYSIS: Journalism training is tenable at three major institutions, namely, the Evelyn Hone College (EHC), Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) Trust, and the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Zambia, as well as a number of less-known private institutions. EHC has a one-year certificate course and a three-year diploma course. The Department of Mass Communication offers a four-year professional Bachelor of Mass Communication (BMC) degree. In addition, it has two masters programmes: the Master of Mass Communication (MMC) and the Master of Communication for Development (MCD), which take two years and a year and a half, respectively. In-service training for practicing journalists is obtainable at the ZAMCOM Trust which has recently added a diploma programme to its course offerings. Taken together with numerous ad hoc seminars and workshops, these institutions provide facilities and opportunities for journalists to upgrade their skills and acquire new ones. The Post has recently started in-house training for its staff. SCORES: Individual scores: 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2 Average score: 2.6 So This Is Democracy? 2005 -279- Media Institute of Southern Africa