SECTOR 4 from accepting or demanding money from news sources. Most media houses refused publishing the recommendations, and one newspaper accused the media observatory, which edited the report, of trying to “kill” the industry. Bribe taking “has become a culture” in the media and many now fear that even better salaries would not solve the problems. Many take the example of magistrates, who are some of the best paid professionals in the country19, yet the justice system remains one of the most corrupt sectors in the country. For some, “higher salaries would only take corruption to a higher level. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.7 4.6 Journalists and editors do not practice self-censorship in the private broadcasting and print media. Generally, journalists in the private sector are more daring than those of the public sector. They are more free to cover the opposition, other groups that may be hostile to the government and subjects that are unlikely to be raised in the public media. Human rights stories, such as a recent case of the death of a citizen in police detention, can only be run in the private press. But they know too well what lines not to cross and are forced to watch their words. Many areas of public life, such as security and revenue from natural resources, are considered sacred, even by journalists of the private press. “Sometimes, journalists must weigh their words so that [someone] is not hurt.” In the absence of the rule of law, many journalists are careful about reporting that might put them in trouble. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 2013 117