Radio One is wholly dedicated to programmes in seven Zambian languages. Radio Two is an English service channel that also runs a few programmes in two Zambian languages. Radio Four is predominantly a music channel which, along with Radios One and Two, has done a lot to promote and popularise Zambian music. But all these efforts do not seem to be sufficient yet, especially in regard to local drama. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1 1.8 (2005 = 3.1) Overall score for sector 3: 1.6 (2005 = 1.7) 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: The constitution of the Media Council of Zambia (MECOZ) - the self-regulatory body established by the media in July 2003 - includes a code of ethics and conduct to which all MECOZ members must adhere. Membership of MECOZ is both individual and institutional. With the exception of the Post newspaper, all major media institutions now subscribe to MECOZ and have accepted the code and its principles. MECOZ has been in on-going discussions with the Post in an effort to persuade it to join as well. So far, though, the paper has made no decision on the matter claiming that joining the Council is, after all, voluntary. More recently, MECOZ has started to negotiate Memorandums of Understanding with individual member organizations in order to establish a direct link between itself and its members. As a self-regulatory body, MECOZ’s major strength is that it is a “court of honour” rather than a court of law. Its secretariat is headed by a full-time Chief Executive employed on a three-year contract. This was initially funded for one year by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of Germany and efforts are under way to secure additional funding to maintain operations. It is doubtful that MECOZ will be able to sustain itself without financial support from its media house members. So far there is no indication that this will be forthcoming. Up to now MECOZ has dealt with not even a handful of cases – causing the public to aks whether the Council really is an effective mechanism. In one case it decided against the Sunday Mail. A further decision is expected shortly in a matter involving former Information Minister Vernon Mwaanga and the Post newspaper. Though Mwaanga did not complain to the Council directly, he accepted MECOZ arbitration after it took up the matter on its own accord. MECOZ can take up matters involving non-member newspapers if they are deemed to be in the public interest. MECOZ has a mountain to climb: with a major newspaper - The Post - still outside its ambit, problems of sustainability, as well as the desirability and prudence of maintaining a full-time chief executive which seems questionable in light of the low case load. Further, its ideals and So This Is Democracy? 2007 -266- Media Institute of Southern Africa