SECTOR 4 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: 4.3 (2010 = 4.2; 2008 = 4.2; 2006 = 3.0) 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. Most media in Malawi try to offer balanced and accurate reports, and the standard of reporting is generally considered to be high. The MBC, however, was highlighted for biased political coverage (skewed towards the ruling party at the time) and for reporting out of context. “The MBC is 90 percent accurate, save for the 10 percent of political coverage.” Since Joyce Banda became president in April 2012, panellists noted that they are starting to see a small improvement in this regard at the state broadcaster. There are some exceptions, however, such as a newspaper, that was established in mid-2011 by the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on media and communications, and which a panellist described as a “weapon of mass deception, publishing pure lies about the opposition”. This newspaper ceased being published around the time when the former president died in April 2012. Some newspapers, such as the sensational tabloid Weekend Times, have a special fund to pay for potential lawsuits, which they clearly anticipate. “The Weekend Times is not necessarily inaccurate. It serves as a moral compass for Malawi.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALAWI 2012 53