SECTOR 4 Developments since 2008 Positive developments in the media environment in the last two years: o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o After the conclusion of the Global Political Agreement between the political parties in September 2008, which resulted in the formation of the Inclusive Government in February 2009, the extent and frequency of persecution of media practitioners has lessened. Incidents of hate speech would certainly have escalated if there had been no such agreement. International news networks such as BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera have returned to the country and government is less frantic about foreign journalists coming into Zimbabwe to report. There has been a dramatic decrease in the confiscation of journalists’ equipment. The economy has stabilised with the introduction of the US dollar as the operating currency and economic production has increased. Relations with the international donor community have improved. The constitution is presently in the process of being rewritten. The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe has drafted and is lobbying for a Model Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Bill. A kind of “dialogue of the deaf ” between sections of government and media sector has started: they are talking though not always listening to each other, and sections of government now recognise the importance of a free media. The Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Jameson Timba, is trying to bring about positive developments in the media sector. Areas of the country that were inaccessible to private media are now opening up. There is a groundswell of initiatives around community radio, e.g. Radio Dialogue. The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe has grown in stature. The tax on media products coming into Zimbabwe has been removed. Newsprint has become easier to procure. Fuel is available. Access to internet has improved through an increase in wireless hotspots around the country. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2010 69