the GBC board, whether this procedure can be expected to produce boards really representative of society at large. The output of GBC television news indicates that many editors are still conditioned by the experience of the past, which demanded self-censorship if one wanted to avoid punitive measures, and continue to toe the “line of officialdom”. GTV’s news bulletins usually follow the hierarchy of government institutions. Government activities on average take up 70 per cent of news items, with the rest dedicated to the opposition and other organisations in society. GBC Radio news take a more journalistic approach, having more regard to newsworthiness. The (GBC) has a code of professional standards in place and adherence to these guidelines is rated as very good. The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) also has its own code of ethics. In cases of serious breaches, the offending radio station can be expelled from the association – quite a severe sanction as GIBA offers a range of business opportunities which are vital for its members. Unfortunately not all radio stations are members of GIBA and those who opted to stay outside cannot be called to order by the association. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has a code of professional ethics but many journalists, mainly those who did not have any formal professional training, do not know about the existence of the code. About half of the print media, mainly the small papers, operate without any recourse to this or any other code. The statutory National Media Commission has also developed guidelines for broadcasting and print media and has the mandate to maintain “highest … journalistic standards”, but it is seen as “toothless”. The self-regulatory mechanisms – with all their flaws – are working more efficiently because they serve as “courts of honour” and their “name-and-shame” sanctions seem to be the strongest weapon against unethical practices. The major print media, both state-owned and private, try to follow the principles of accuracy and fairness. However, the standard of radio journalism, particularly in commercial stations, is of great concern. On-air discussions are habitually unprofessional. Politicians usually trade insults and unsubstantiated allegations and talk shows are turned into political platforms for the two main political parties NDC and NPP only, neglecting other stakeholders in civil society who are affected by the issues debated. Radio and television stations are licensed by the National Communications Authority (NCA). The NCA operates under the Ministry of Communications and Technology and its members are appointed at the discretion of the President. Although the NCA has to consult the NMC in regard to regulation and monitoring broadcasting services, it plays only a minor role in this regard. A Broadcasting Bill aiming to establish an independent broadcasting regulator has been stalled for the last ten years, as have any attempts to transform the GBC into a truly public broadcasting service. 6 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011