2.6 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political influence. ANALYSIS: Print media published under the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust, whose major shareholder is the state, are controlled essentially by the Ministry of Information. It determines their editorial policy and appoints the boards which in turn formally appoint editors and other leading staff based on their support for the ruling party and government. All media have to follow the stable’s proclaimed mission “to protect the interests of the government of the day”. If someone does not toe the party line, he or she gets fired. Therefore, staff at these papers are exercising self-censorship. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.7 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 1.1 (2006 = 1.0) Local or regional independent news agencies gather and distribute information for all media. ANALYSIS: The only news agency, New ZIANA, is a commercial enterprise owned by government and is thus not independent. SCORES: Individual sores: Average score: 2.8 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.1 (2006 = 1.1) Media diversity is promoted through adequate competition regulation/ legislation. ANALYSIS: Although at face value pieces of legislation such as AIPPA and the BSA may appear to promote media diversity in Zimbabwe, the application of these laws so far has demonstrated that the government uses them to actually stifle such diversity. While the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is tasked with the licensing of new broadcasting stations, to date BAZ has thrown a lot of spanners in the works of potential operators and has not approved a single broadcasting licence. There is very little competition in the print media and even privately owned newspapers act as a cartel. Advertising rates usually go up at the same time and by the same rates, giving the impression that there is collusion among owners. The same people who head state media institutions also control them in their capacity as board members. There is a constant recycling of the same people who sit on a range of boards in a variety of sectors. So This Is Democracy? 2008 -266- Media Institute of Southern Africa