ened by the underperforming economy, which signals declining advertising revenue. The largest newspaper stable, the statecontrolled Zimpapers operates 12 publications, a commercial printing press, a radio station and two digital platforms. In the half-year ended 30 June 2014, they recorded a $1,417 million loss after tax after a positive out turn of $358 000 the previous year as revenue tumbled due to high finance costs and a worsening economic environment. This scenario paints a gloomy picture on the future viability and sustainability of newspaper companies with several of them struggling to break even resulting in downsizing of staff and late payments of salaries. The small privately owned weekly newspapers that fill the gap at provincial community levels in terms of citizens’ right to access to information are literally struggling with the majority now publishing fortnightly instead of weekly. The situation is particularly dire for the smaller publications as advertisers turn to the national circulating giants and the new online platforms. This negative outlook for 2015 is chilling to contemplate given that where there is limited plurality and diversity of information platforms, the state often controls the public sphere by using the dominant media it controls to set the agenda and suffocates citizens with one-sided narratives on matters affecting them. The low morale among journalists compounded by the state’s continued stranglehold on Zimpapers and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), contributed immensely to the continued decline in professional journalism in Zimbabwe. The long and short of this situation which requires serious attention, is that journalism in Zimbabwe is on the precipice as epitomised by partisan reportage along party political affiliations, in blatant disregard of the codes and ethics of the profession. Quality of information is thus compromised thereby short-changing readers and Zimbabwean citizens when it comes to reliability of information upon which they can make informed decisions on issues that affect their daily lives. Zimbabwean newspapers therefore need to revisit their business sustainability models for them to survive the economic hardships at a time when the majority of companies are operating on shoe-string budgets. BROADCASTING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ICTs Government continues stranglehold on state broadcaster Section 61 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and sub-section 3 (b), states broadcasting and other electronic media should be independent of control by government or by political or commercial interests. Further, sub-section 4 says all stateowned media must: be free to determine independently the editorial content of their broadcasts or other communications; be impartial; and afford fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions. Yet, despite these provisions – and assurances by the Minister of Media, Informa- So This is Democracy? 2014 87