receive television signals in a number of areas. The situation is not likely to improve in the near to mid term because the government-owned transmitter company Transmedia cannot afford new expensive transmission equipment. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.10 3, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2 1.9 (2006 = 1.5) The public broadcaster offers diverse programming for all interests. ANALYSIS: ZBC offers diverse programming but most of it is boring. TV caters for all tastes: sports, soap operas (such as Studio 263), children’s, drama and current affairs programmes, but provides no special offerings for the youth. Movies and international soaps are extremely old reruns. In current affairs in particular there is no diversity as most programmes are biased in favour of the ruling party and government. Radio offers various channels with different formats, such as Sport FM or Power FM (youth radio). The quality of most programmes on both radio and TV is poor as experienced people have left and are being replaced with young and inexperienced staff. Technical quality is also deteriorating as engineers are leaving the country. ZBC is certainly not the first choice of the people – but they have no alternative. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.11 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3 3.3 (2006 = 2.2) The public broadcaster offers balanced and fair information reflecting the full spectrum of diverse views and opinions. ANALYSIS The broadcaster is biased towards advancing the cause of the ruling party and government. There is a lot of reporting on the President, government and the ruling party. Typically, news stories start off by saying: “The government warns the public”, “The Minister urges civil servants”, “ZANU(PF) cautions against …” etc., regurgitating statements made at state functions and ruling party meetings. The public get to hear the opinions of politicians in power but there is no feedback from the people or the opposition. Programmes on radio and television are one-sided and not interactive. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2008 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 1.5 (2006 = 1.0) -273- Media Institute of Southern Africa