SECTOR 3 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: 3.8 (2008 = 4.7; 2006 = 4.0) 3.9 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests. The quality of programming on television is mostly regarded as poor, with a high percentage of cheap foreign movies and sitcoms – which are not reflective of the South African population (“Where are the black people?”). There are, however, some good programmes, among them locally produced sitcoms in all major languages spoken in the country. Examples are 7 de Laan and Generations which are representative of the ‘new South Africa’. Some of the sitcoms in African languages perpetuate stereotypes: Muvhango, for example, idolises tribalism and chieftainship, but is popular amongst local audiences because the communities it targets can relate to it. Many magazines are advertising revenue driven (“Top Billing is one huge ad”). There are not many children’s programmes in the early evenings, but when they are aired they include commercial breaks which are inappropriate for viewing by children. Due to the financial crisis presently experienced by the corporation, the programme schedule includes many re-runs and hardly any new local productions are being commissioned. There is more diversity on radio with more educational, drama and short story programmes produced for a variety of audiences. 52 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010