drafted legislation to establish an independent broadcasting regulator, the MCC is to go ahead as a print media regulator only. MISA Swaziland and SNAJ are driving the process of making the MCC operational. They are currently involved in registering the MCC as a company, securing funding to cover administrative costs and identifying five commissioners. Both national newspapers, Times of Swaziland and Swazi Observer, have indicated their support and are willing to make a financial commitment, although the Observer is awaiting confirmation of legal registration and a draft budget before giving final approval. There is a sense of urgency about making the MCC operational as the threat of statutory regulation still hangs over the industry. Despite the media’s objection to the Media Commission Draft Bill, the government has not indicated that the bill will be abandoned. The media is thus fearful of the government’s agenda. But at the same time, there is some doubt amongst media practitioners themselves that self-regulation will really work. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.2 3, 3, 3, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3 2.6 (2005=1.3) The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. ANALYSIS: While the basic principles of accuracy are, for the most part, upheld by the media, the standard of reporting is lowered by repeated failure to be fair and balanced. A monitoring study conducted by MISA Swaziland on the print media indicated significant flaws in the standard of news reporting, such as a majority of single-sourced stories and a high incidence of failing to present competing perspectives and seek rejoinders. A second study on the reporting of gender violence indicated a propensity to report gender violence and child abuse stories unfairly. The drop in reporting standards is blamed on the lack of training and experience in the newsrooms: “There are no quality journalists any more.” Senior journalists are leaving the profession at a rapid rate and cub reporters (usually school leavers or at best diploma graduates from the University of Swaziland [UNISWA]) are thrown in the deep end, given no tutelage or mentorship (“Editors don’t have the time”). The high staff turnover in newsrooms is due to poor pay and lack of benefits. Most of the experienced journalists have moved into more lucrative positions in government or the NGO sector. The drain from the profession is also partly because of “political encroachment” where the government deliberately poaches journalists for well-paying government jobs. It was also suggested that the “right calibre” of people are no longer attracted to the profession. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2007 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3 2.6 (2005=2.6) -243- Media Institute of Southern Africa