SECTOR 2 The editorial independence of state-owned print media, defined as the freedom of editors to select, structure and determine the content of stories without interference, seems to be safeguarded as the boards are part of governance rather than management. If the boards have issues, they will rather discuss them among themselves and with management rather than interfere directly with editors. Panelists working for both state-owned print media and independent media houses affirmed that there seems to be no interference by the boards as far as content is concerned. From time to time politicians call the newsrooms demanding changes or additions to particular stories. Editors from state-owned print media on the panel emphasised that such calls are treated like any other request from any citizen of Ghana. Editors would rather call upon the Managing Director to address any issue involving pressure or interference of any form from a politician. This, for panelists, proves how far Ghana has come since the 1980s and early 1990s when it was not possible to refuse such requests and any such attempt could have had dire consequences. Regarding financial independence, the state–owned dailies do not rely on government for funding or subsidies because they are financially self-reliant. The Graphic Communications Group even pays dividends to government. Some panelists expressed doubt whether this was not too rosy a picture, saying it was difficult to believe that there are no interferences at all. They referred to subtle forms of interference, evidenced by the fact that both the Times and the Graphic tend to be silent on controversial issues. 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: 26 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011 3.7 (2008: 4.6; 2006: 3.6)