SCORES: Individual scores: 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3 Average score: 3.1 (2005=3.4) 4.3 The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business / economic, cultural, local and investigative stories. ANALYSIS: The media have demonstrated mixed performance in this area. The Picture is one of inconsistencies, experimentation and varying levels of diversity at any given time. Caricatures have at times been taken too far. SCORES: Individual scores: 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4 Average score: 4.1 (2005=4.4) 4.4 Journalists and editors do not practice self –censorship. ANALYSIS: Self–censorship is exercised for fear of powerful political interests and government reprisals. Giving black outs to certain political stories of public interest amounts to unwitting selfcensorship and detract from the media cardinal role of a public watchdog. It can only be used as a temporary measure of protest to achieve an end. Core interests of a media house may be at variance with issues in the news touching on business corporate interests. This frequently influences the treatment of the issues. SCORES: Individual scores: 3, 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3 Average score: 3.1 4.5 Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. 17 (2005= 2.5)