SECTOR 4 including the arrest and harassment of members. ‘Its leadership has gone to bed with politicians,’ remarked one panellist, ‘and in so doing compromised its authority and independence. The Guild of Editors, on its part, operates like an exclusive club of elite members.’ 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: Score of previous years: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.53 2008: 4.6; 2011: 4.3; 2015: 4 4.5 Journalists and media houses have integrity and are not corrupt Without hesitation, one panellist said, ‘The Nigerian journalist, with hardly an exception, lacks integrity and is corrupt, in the same way as the country is.’ It came out of discussions that journalists at all levels are happy to accept bribes and favours from public officials and institutions in exchange for good press. Some news organisations have signed partnerships agreements with state governments under which they receive periodic sums of money and produce ‘patronised’ or sponsored stories in exchange. ‘The Nigerian media has lost its integrity,’ one panellist said, adding that: Journalists have been severely compromised and the practice of commissioned stories22 is normal. Journalists without exception ask for some form of gratification before stories are published. According to another panellist: Brown envelope journalism is a big deal. Journalists do not accept bribes because of economic reasons, as some claim, but because they are part of the corruption culture in the country. They want to live bigger than their reality. Major media houses have been working to change the disrepute. Publications like the Punch, Daily Trust and the Guardian have internal anti-corruption regulations. Some publish public notices urging event organisers and members of the public not to give their journalists money. ‘But it’s a drop in the ocean,’ said a panellist. Scores: 49 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2019