2.6 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. ANALYSIS: There is a discrepancy between the ownership structure and the directing authority. Whereas the ownership of the Zambia Daily Mail and the Times of Zambia is vested in the Minister of Finance on behalf of the government, the boards of the two organisations are appointed by and answerable to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, and the ministry’s permanent secretary sits on both boards. This exerts undue government influence and facilitates the ruling party’s interference with the editorial independence of the two institutions. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1 2.7 Independent news agencies gather and distribute information for all media. ANALYSIS: The Zambia News Agency (ZANA) is wholly owned and funded by government; it is not independent. Palesa, the only privately-owned and independent agency is a specialised operation producing mainly features for a select few media organisations. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 Average score: 1.3 2.8 Media diversity is promoted through adequate competition regulation/ legislation. ANALYSIS: In theory, the Fair Practices Act which is enforced by the Zambia Competition Commission provides for adequate competition and proscribes monopoly when it disadvantages existing competitors. However, the Competition Commission lacks the capacity to deal with the issue of media diversity as effectively as the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act does for broadcasting. The current law does not provide any guidelines on ownership structures and promotion of media diversity. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.9 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 2.1 Government promotes a political and economic environment which allows a diverse media landscape. So This Is Democracy? 2005 -270- Media Institute of Southern Africa