SECTOR 4 However, since the establishment of the self-regulatory body (OLPED) and the National Union of Journalists in Ivory Coast, the phenomenon is being tackled at all levels. Forums have been organised to analyse and address the issue. Certain media outlets have also put in place internal solutions. RTI, considered as one of the media outlets most affected by this phenomenon, has hence improved the resources of its editorial teams to ...“there is a main shield journalists from the per diem issue. In return, the management is uncompromising with non-complying briber: civil society, the employees. public in general” Regarding the perception and the analysis of the corruption phenomenon in the media, opinions are divided between the media professionals on the one hand and civil society representatives on the other hand. Some panel members mention factors such as the low level or even the absence of salaries in certain media outlets. But for one of the journalists sitting on the panel, “there is a main briber: civil society, the public in general”. The unjustified payment of per diems has been established as a rule and is part of the habits of citizens “they pay even when journalists do not ask them”. Event organisers act this way to “position” their information in the media. Besides, some consider that “giving to a journalist who is investigating on his own and is sensitive is not corruption”. Professional associations of journalists appeal to civil society organisations to help clean-up the media environment. In this regard, the panel suggests that citizens contact the management of newspapers whose journalists, in contempt of professional ethics and code of conduct, are guilty of reprehensible practices. Certain examples cited by panel members actually show that corruption is more often practised without the knowledge and against the will of the management. Unacceptable actions involving journalists must also be replaced by acceptable institutional support (advertisements, equipment, etc...). Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 122 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER IVORY COAST 2009 1,4