SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the State broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. The broadcasting sector is regulated by the Broadcasting Services Act of 2001, which – amongst others – provides for “the functions, powers and duties of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ); the constitution of the Authority; the planning, management, allocation, regulation and protection of the broadcasting frequency spectrum and the regulation and licensing of broadcasting services and systems; and programme standards”. The Act also provides for public, commercial and community broadcasting, but to date, no community broadcasters have been licensed or are on air. “We don’t have community radio stations because BAZ has not made any calls for licenses, although there have been some initiatives where people went to BAZ to seek community licenses,” but excuses such as how to define ‘community’ have been brought up by BAZ. One panellist suggested that the non-licensing of community stations has to do with power. “For a government whose hegemony is threatened, they won’t grant community licensing.” Although the BSA seeks to promote a diverse broadcast landscape, implementation is lacking. “When it comes to effectiveness vis-a-vis promoting diversity, it goes back to the issue of licensing and calling for application. The process of selection is not exactly transparent, and the regulator can use any criteria and get away with it.” “The law is being manipulated to favour specific people.” Other legislation such as AIPPA and the Competition Act do not address licensing concerns in general, and the need for community radio in particular. 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015