SECTOR 4 Some panellists were of the view that the extent of corruption in the media is due to their salary rates and conditions. “Salaries are not regular, and journalists are not paid every month. Of course, this is not unique to journalists and working conditions are poor everywhere, but the difference is that journalists have power “to destroy, make, reconstruct, and so forth.” In the broader context, corruption is high across society, and this is an issue that needs to be looked at across the board. “It’s something that needs to be addressed universally, and it is reflective of a problem that is inherent in the country, and on the continent.” It’s not an issue of culture, but rather, an abuse of a privileged position for selfish means, because there’s no reason why. You know that no one should pay for an article to be in a newspaper.” Most media houses do not have policies on how to handle freebies, and this blurs the lines of what could be deemed corruption. Radio Dialogue has a policy on this, but still faces challenges with regards to its journalists declaring freebies received from news sources or other organisations. 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: 1.9 (2012 = 2.3; 2010 = 1.7; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a) 4.6 Journalists and editors do not practise self-censorship in in the private broadcasting and print media. Journalists at both state and private media practise self-censorship. One panellist noted, “There is no independence in independent media”, primarily because media houses feel the need to please their advertisers. “Corporate bullies, politicians and religious charlatans are holding the media hostage with their advertising.” In December 2013, Caesar Zvayi, editor of The Herald newspaper, was sent on forced leave amid accusations by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services 58 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015