SECTOR 2

2.4 Transparency of ownership of media houses in
print/broadcasting is guaranteed by law and enforced.
Transparency of ownership is only guaranteed in so far as what is available on
the records at the Deeds of Companies Office. There, the public is able to access
information on the ownership of registered companies.
AIPPA also requires disclosure of ownership.
ZMC has full records of on media ownership in the broadcast sector, but it does
not disclose this information on ownership structures to the public.
Panellists also expressed concern that there may be instances where those
registered as owners on the company documents are simply proxies for the real
shareholders. “There’s no transparency on ownership. You see a company and
the directors of that company, but they may simply be there as fronts for the
company.”

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:

2.0 (2012 = n/a; 2010 = n/a; 2008 = n/a;
2006 = n/a)

2.5 Adequate competition legislation/regulation seeks
to prevent media concentration and monopolies.
Zimbabwe’s competition and media laws do not adequately prevent media
concentration.
While the Competition Act addresses monopolies in the business sector, it does
not mention media.
Furthermore, the Act does not look at the licensing regime, which itself imposes
no restrictions or prohibitions in terms of media concentration or monopolies.
AIPPA makes no mention of competition in the media industry.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015

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