SECTOR 2 Cross ownership is allowed, and is taking place. ZiFM, for example, plans to launch a TV station and a newspaper, Zimpapers has interests in both print and broadcast (radio) media. “Competition outweighs diversity, so there is concentration.” 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: 1.4 (2012 = 3.0; 2010 = 1.5; 2008 = 1.1; 2006 = 1.0) 2.6 Government promotes a diverse media landscape with economically sustainable and independent media outlets. “The government is not showing any signs of promoting the media landscape.” Economically, even in the midst of an economic crisis, media houses still have to contend with high taxes. For newspapers, “we have to import newsprint, and we are taxed on that newsprint. This makes it very difficult to survive.” In the broadcasting sector, several other taxes have to be paid, including to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), Transmedia the signal carrier, the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), ZMC, the National Arts Council and other mandatory taxes. “There are too many taxes, which compromise the profitability of ventures in this sector.” The country’s taxation system is punitive and prohibitive for the media sector to grow and remain sustainable and compromises the diversity of the media. 32 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015