SECTOR 3 Those awarded licenses – i.e. transport minister Obert Mpofu and AB Communications – are viewed as having been favoured in the process because of their closeness to the minister. “In a public court of opinion, it is clear that the whole thing of saying we are going to have hearings doesn’t work when decisions are already predetermined.” The first two commercial radio stations granted licenses in 2011 – ZiFM and Star FM – are owned by the current minister of information, communication and technology, Supa Mandiwanzira and Zimpapers respectively. The 8 radio stations granted licenses by BAZ in February 2015 are also believed to be politically aligned. 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: 2.2 (2012 = 1.2; 2010 = 1.0; 2008 = 1.0; 2006 = 1.0) 3.4 The state/public broadcaster is accountable to the public through an independent board which is representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner. In line with the provisions of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Act of 2001, the ZBC board is appointed by the minister of information, and the public is not at all involved in the nomination process. The current board was constituted in 2014, and is made up of Father Gibson Munyoro, Dr Ndabezinhle Dlodlo, Ms Joyce Jenje-Makwenda, Mr Gelfand Kausiyo, Mr Donald Khumalo, Professor Charity Manyeruke, Ms Rudo Mudavanhu, Dr Cleopatra Matanhire-Mutisi and Mr Blessing Rugara. While board members come from diverse professional backgrounds, the objectivity of some of them has been questioned, as they are viewed to be linked to the ruling party. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015 45