the story. Proper analysis, investigative reporting and in-depth coverage of issues of national importance are lacking. The increase in the number of newspapers is spreading talent more and more thinly. Journalists are highly mobile and there is a high turnover of staff in most media houses. Many lack both training and work experience. PCB has been running training workshops in the work place and expects the media to be familiar with their code of ethics and the need to carry accurate and balanced stories. Media houses themselves need to become more pro-active. They should create a culture of mentoring in their organizations and pay more attention to training. Editors should challenge their reporters more to do their work properly and make sure they adhere to the basic principles of journalism. There is very little contact between the new Department of Media Studies of the University of Botswana and local media houses. The first head of the department actively promoted such contacts but the culture of interaction and cooperation has since died. This is unfortunate because the Department can help the media reflect on the quality of their reporting or broadcasting. There is also no diversity of experts writing in the papers and it seems that always the same political analysts get a chance. One of the reasons cited was that a lot of people do not dare to come forward and express their opinion in writing. SCORES:: Individual scores: Average score: 4.3 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2 2.1 (2005 = 2.9) The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local, and investigative stories. ANALYSIS: Overall, newspapers try to cover more or less the full spectrum of events and issues but there is a clear lack of in-depth and investigative reporting. Many experienced journalists tend to be promoted and stop writing – which makes it necessary to train new staff in investigative reporting all the time. Others leave the profession for greener pastures, especially in public relations. Some newspapers are accused of being too cowardly and not taking up certain issues because they fear people in positions of power and influence. Printing costs are very high and newspapers need advertisements in order to survive. The usual editorial/advertising ratio is 40:60. In view of increasing competition, the media can not afford to antagonize their advertisers. There is ongoing tension between the editorial and advertising teams, as the former always seek to cover only newsworthy events and not those directly linked to commercial interests and designed to make potential advertisers appear in a good light. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2007 2, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3 3.1 (2005 = 3.0) -167- Media Institute of Southern Africa