procedures are still largely unknown even among its stakeholders and more so the public at large. MECOZ needs restructuring and a concerted publicity effort to promote itself and the ideal of self-regulation for which it was created. Improving the performance of MECOZ is seen as a matter of highest urgency as government is now – again – threatening to impose statutory regulation for the media. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.2 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3 3.0 (2005 = 3.3) The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. ANALYSIS: Generally, reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. Newspapers make amends for errors through apologies and clarifications and they honour the right to reply in instances of inaccurate reporting through specialized columns and Letters to the Editor. There is, however, a general perception that ownership influences the degree of accuracy and fairness exercised. The question posed is whether reporters do indeed report events and developments as they see them – or whether they are told how to see them? Even though the stated policy of the state-owned media is to defend and protect the public interest, in practice it is the interest of the executive that they seek to defend and protect. Their reporting tends to be characterized by excessive deference to the executive branch of government. This deference sometimes results in under-reporting, omission or distortion of stories apparently in order to suit the agenda of the executive or for fear of certain repercussions. The private media can be personal and shrill in their commentary on matters of public interest. The passion with which it pursues issues sometimes leads to distortions. Equally, though, it also results in forcing action from the authorities. Reporters of the privately-owned The Post are guided by an editorial policy and an agenda with ‘good governance’ as its top priority. Readers acknowledge that the Post does not make any bones about this agenda and tries to be as fair as possible. The paper has the highest circulation because “they will at least not hide anything.” SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.3 3, 4, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1, 3, 3, 3 2.8 (2005 = 2.5 ) The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local and investigative stories. ANALYSIS: Politics and business dominate coverage in all media. There is not much investigative reporting generally and almost none in the state-owned media. The result is that overall, media coverage tends to be predominantly elitist and personality-centred. So This Is Democracy? 2007 -267- Media Institute of Southern Africa