SECTOR 4 However, in-depth and analytical reporting is generally lacking in Malawi, and most reporting is event-driven. “Journalists are being churned out with basic skills in Malawi, but they lack the burning desire to really find out about issues. There is no in-born curiosity and Malawians generally don’t want to make a nuisance of themselves. We need more capacity building to get journalists to probe.” “Media houses need to provide room for investigative stories. There is too much pressure on journalists to produce a few stories every day and quality is being compromised for quantity.” 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: 4.0 (2010 = 3.9; 2008 = 3.9; 2006 = 3.3) 4.4 Equal opportunities regardless of race or ethnicity, social group, gender/sex, religion, disabilities and age are promoted in media houses. There is very little evidence of the country’s range of race/ethnicity represented in newsrooms. For example, white or Asian people are not evident in newsrooms. The content published or broadcast by media houses reflect this dearth. Although there is a very large Asian community in Malawi, which contributes significantly to the country, they are rarely mentioned in the media. “It’s not just the media sector, which is affected. It is throughout society, except in the business sphere. For example, there are no Indians in the police or the army.” In terms of gender, men tend to dominate the country’s newsrooms. At Zodiak private radio station, for example, there are fewer women than men, and only one woman – the head of news – is in a decision-making position. At The Nation newspaper, there is a 1 to 3 ratio of women to men in the newsroom. At media training institutions, most of the lecturers are male, although in terms of the journalism student body, changes are evident in this regard. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALAWI 2012 55