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: 2.3 (2005 = 1.3; 2007 = 1.8; 2009 = 3.4) 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. ZNBC (both radio and TV) does not offer balanced and fair information in news and current affairs, as its content is heavily skewed towards positive reporting on the government and the ruling party. The broadcaster may cover news from different locations around the country, but this mostly concerns news about the president or the ruling party. “ZNBC does not even attempt to offer balanced reporting.” In July 2011, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) wrote to the state broadcaster, saying that it was flouting the law in its coverage of national affairs as stipulated in the ZNBC Act. LAZ said that the broadcaster’s news coverage is unbalanced and slanted towards the ruling MMD party. 10 10 http://www.muvitv.com/?p=18167 and http://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/07/02/laz-unhappy-znbc 50 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011