2.7 Local or regional independent news agencies gather and distribute information for all media. ANALYSIS: There are no local or regional news agencies of any significance operating in Zambia. The Zambia News Agency (ZANA), now incorporated into the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), is wholly owned and funded by government. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.8 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.1 (2005 = 1.3) 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 generally proscribes monopolies. However, the Competition Commission lacks the capacity to deal with the specific issue of media diversity, given that the current competition law does not provide any guidelines on ownership structures and promotion of media diversity. The IBA/ZNBC Acts sought to enhance media diversity as they provide for independent boards with the mandate to promote just that. But their non-implementation means that this objective has so far not been met. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2.9 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1, 2, 2, 1 2.0 (2005 = 2.1) Government promotes a political and economic environment which allows for a diverse media landscape. ANALYSIS: The Fifth National Development Plan (2006-2010) which was also endorsed by the international donor community seeks to promote growth of private media and envisages the creation of a Media Development Fund by 2007. The fact that this part of the plan has not been implemented yet seems to conform with the common pattern of a disconnect between official policies and actual deeds of government. All materials for the production of newspapers need to be imported – from newsprint to ink. High import duties and taxes impact adversely on media diversity. Government, however, has reduced import duties on computers and does not impede private investment in the media industry in any way. Further, through the Ministry of Communications, it has provided office space and technical expertise to the RANET (Radio & Internet) programme which the government as well as local and international NGOs use to procure and distribute communication equipment to up-coming community radio stations and local communities. So This Is Democracy? 2007 -259- Media Institute of Southern Africa