SECTOR 4 Young reporters often fail to provide a broader perspective or context to a story, and many of them have drifted into the industry mistakenly seeking fame and celebrity status, without having a real passion for uncovering the truth and informing the public. 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 (2010: 3.0; 2008: 2.9; 2006: 2.8) 4.2 The media follows voluntary codes of professional standards, which are enforced by independent/nonstatutory bodies that deal with complaints from the public. Most mainstream print media houses are members of the self-regulatory Press Council and abide by its Press Code,35 which has now been revised and reduced to a poster and is written in plain English. The council, which comprises six public and six media representatives, was revamped in the last year and since February 2013 there has been a public representative (an advocate) who assists members of the public in laying complaints. The new rules for the Media Ombudsman also no longer curtail people’s Constitutional rights. Before, people who felt they had been wronged by the press and who took their complaint to the Press Ombudsman, would have to sign a waiver forfeiting their right to civil litigation. “The media is the facilitator of public discourse, but must also be the subject of public discourse at times, to keep itself on track. It is good that the systems of the Press Ombudsman have been reviewed so they don’t become obsolete.” The Press Council, which was established by the media as a self-regulatory body in 2007, adjudicates complaints from the public through the Press Ombudsman, and shows the commitment of print media houses to ethical journalism. The process for submitting complaints is considered an efficient method of resolving complaints, particularly for members of the public who cannot afford to pursue civil litigation. 35 South African Press Council. 2012. South African Press Code. Available at: http://www.presscouncil.org.za/ ContentPage?code=PRESSCODE. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2013 61