SECTOR 3 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: 3.4 (2008: 4.2; 2006: 4.9) 3.10 The state/public broadcaster offers balanced and fair information in news and current affairs, reflecting the full spectrum of diverse views and opinions. GTV’s news bulletins usually follow the hierarchy of government institutions with the President and VicePresident leading the news, followed by ministers in the order of their seniority, other politicians and so on. Government activities on average take up 70 per cent of news items with the rest dedicated to the opposition and other organisations in society. “TV news go the lazy way, follow the status quo and seem still to be mentally imprisoned by the past.” “TV News... seem still to be mentally imprisoned by the past ” Radio news take a more journalistic approach, having more regard to newsworthiness. Current affairs programmes in both radio and television, on the other hand, are perceived to be following the principle of fairness, presenting diverse views and opinions and thus balancing the slant of TV news. Sometimes, however, the definition of ‘current’ seems to be applied too rigidly because items are selected only on the basis of actuality and not also because of the relevance of issues of concern to the public. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011 41