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: 2.0 (2005: 3.0; 2007: 2.9; 2009: 3.0) 4.7 Journalists and media houses have integrity and are not corrupt. Panellists noted that journalists are invited to numerous functions, and posited that this influences how they write. “You are taken in. They give you a lot of presents, which is not really corruption, but it affects your coverage.” As a result, “you hardly ever see stories critical of (the television show) Big Brother, or big companies”. Some media houses have policies on receiving gifts. “Everything we receive at the station, we share amongst ourselves.” Meanwhile, the NBC’s policy states that any gift worth more than N$100 (US$15) has to be declared. Problems occur when journalists are left to use their own discretion. “If there were policies and guidelines, it would be easier for journalists.” An example was given of a radio presenter who drives a car sponsored by a car dealer – a form of celebrity endorsement. Another case was highlighted, of a journalist who would ask people for money in order to cover their stories. When he was discovered, no punitive action was taken against him. He is no longer a practicing journalist. When a similar case was discovered at the NBC, the journalist had to appear before a disciplinary hearing and was fired. “Generally, I think Namibian journalists have integrity. If we improve training, our integrity will improve. When you believe in the principles of journalism, you won’t be so challenged by external influences.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011 61