SECTOR 1 More recently, AIPPA has relaxed the reference requirement, and now accepts stamped letters from universities as references for journalists who have recently graduated into the profession. There have been other relaxations of the accreditation process, but despite these relaxations, there have been no changes to the letter of the law. There are also provisions under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act of 2004 (with amendments in 2005, 2006 and 2007) that hamper practice by journalists. Section 31 of the Act, for example, criminalises the publication or communication of “a false statement prejudicial to the state”. Further, Section 33 of this Act states that any person who publicly makes a statement that could “engender feelings of hostility towards or cause hatred, contempt, or ridicule of the President or an acting President” or that makes an “abusive, indecent or obscene statement about or concerning the President” “shall be guilty of undermining the authority of or insulting the President.” Additionally, in the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), “the broadcasting authority doesn’t just regulate the airwaves, but also imposes restrictions on who comes in and who doesn’t.” 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: 16 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015 1.8 (2012 = n/a; 2010 = n/a; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a)