2.7 Independent news agencies gather and distribute information for all media. ANALYSIS: Currently there is only the private owned Press Services of Tanzania (PST) which is run by the IPP Media and which has correspondents all over the country. The problem is still poor quality of the news items and also poor remuneration of the correspondents who in most cases are not trained journalists. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.8 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2 1.3 (2006= 1.1) Media diversity is promoted through adequate competition regulation/ legislation. ANALYSIS: In reality the law allows for diversity in as much as anybody can start a media outlet but at the same time it does not restrict monopoly. In this regard diversity is threatened by monopoly as the concentration of the media becomes concentrated in a few hands. About four media houses led by IPP Media own the chunk of the media industry in the country. Others are Business Times Limited, Mwananchi Communications and New Habari Corporation. Global Publishers Limited owns about 5 titles of yellow newspapers. More information is required on the Fair Competition law needs to be understood and whether it may have any influence in reducing the monopolization of the media. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.9 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2 2.4 (2006= 1.6) Government promotes a political and economic environment which allows a diverse media landscape. ANALYSIS: Not much has been done by the Government to promote a diverse media landscape. The information and Broadcasting Policy as a political statement of intent does recognise the need for a diverse and pluralistic media. This intent has so far not been translated into law. Both the Governments and the Stakeholders’ proposals on the Media Services Bill are silent on the issue of ensuring diversity and plurality of the media. The panellists noted that the Government which is a major advertiser chooses the media outlets that are “friendly” to it to advertise. TBC, supposedly a public broadcaster gets tax payers money to run it and at the same time competes for advertisements with the private radio and So This Is Democracy? 2008 -233- Media Institute of Southern Africa