Questions for following-up for the AMB III in Mozambique After the debate related to the four sectors ended there was a discussion on the follow-up questions for the third round of the African Media Barometer in Mozambique. There is no intention whatsoever, of this becoming the fifth sector. The questions that were answered in a group related way were the following: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) Was there any change in the media environment in the past few years? If there were positive changes which or what were the major reasons for that? What are the most serious obstacles in the way of more positive changes? If there were negative changes which or what were the major reasons for that? What decisive actors can bring about changes in the future? What type of activities are needed in the next two years? The following points were highlighted during the discussions: l One of the things that happened in the past two years was a wider interaction between journalists, overcoming the turbulence that existed in the previous years; l The difference between a journalist and a journalist proprietor is beginning to emerge which is being considered as a healthy situation for the development of the journalists’ class; l In 2005 there was a major concern related to the new country President, but at the moment there is a useful dialogue climate between the Presidency and the journalists; l Institutions like the CSCS and GABINFO are being increasingly disregarded by the journalists; l As far as ethical principles are concerned there are unkind questions being raised: in the last few months there is serious talk about corruption which is of concern to the credibility of the profession; l There is evident promiscuity between a journalist as a professional and a press advisor or press attaché; l Government leaders and politicians are using the courts more and more to threaten journalists that are intensifying investigative reports. l The idea to institutionalize the Legal Fund by MISA-Mozambique is a very good one; l There is a growing number of newspapers which is good as far as diversity is concerned; however the market is becoming saturated; l The International Community consider the media always as partners. However it does not help training them (the last time they did that was in the mid-nineties of the twentieth century); l The press urgently needs simple ways and mechanisms to access printing paper; l There is a suggestion to establish a fund for investigative reporting; So This Is Democracy? 2007 -191- Media Institute of Southern Africa