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: 2.2 (2007: 2.1) 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. Analysis: Many media outlets have problems with both accuracy and fairness, with mainstream media scoring higher on fairness because they are trying to give all sides of the story. Inaccuracies are often a result of the general inaccessibility of information held by government officials. More often than not, headlines promise more than is delivered in the body of the story. In many cases news stories are based on pure perception and opinion pieces sold as hard news. Due to a certain lack of knowledge, many stories are not contextualised, for example those on human rights issues. Also, the President’s views, even when he is attacking political opponents at public functions, are carried without any attempt to get a response from those so attacked. The New Vision and Daily Monitor have introduced regular “Corrections” boxes in order to get stories right and to increase credibility with their readers. Radio journalism leaves a lot to be desired as there are hardly any professional journalists working in the field. The most important requirement for reporters at most FM stations (and sometimes the only one) is for them to be able to speak a local language. They are sent to events without any or only little understanding of the concept of accuracy. In many cases, radio newsrooms pick their stories from newspapers without any effort to confirm the accuracy of the information. One of the reasons is that in most cases, newsrooms have no budget for telephone calls – an essential precondition for any checking of stories. 60 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2010