SECTOR 1 The “importance of freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multiparty democracy” was formally recognised in Article 19 of the “Global Political Agreement” (GPA) concluded by the parties in September 2008 to pave the way for the formation of the new government. The section also states: - that steps be taken to ensure that the public media provides balanced and fair coverage to all political parties for their legitimate political activities; - that the public and private media shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or that unfairly undermines political parties and other organisations. To this end, the inclusive government shall ensure that appropriate measures are taken to achieve this objective. A Constitutional Amendment 19 passed in February 2009 implemented the terms of the GPA. In its section 39 it gives a Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), created under AIPPA, constitutional status. The commission’s functions are, among others: (a) to uphold and develop freedom of the press; and (b) to promote and enforce good practice and ethics in the press, print and electronic media, and broadcasting; and (c) to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe have equitable and wide access to information; The section further states that An Act of Parliament may confer powers on the Zimbabwe Media Commission, including power to … (take) disciplinary action against journalists and other persons employed in the press, print or electronic media, or broadcasting, who are found to have breached any law or any code of conduct applicable to them. The creation of the ZMC and this section in particular, which gives a statutory body power to control the media, is seen as the “antithesis” to principles of freedom of expression. The ZMC also directly conflicts with and undermines a Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe which was launched by the media itself in June 2007. (For more details see indicators 1.5 and 4.1). AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2010 13