SECTOR 1

distribute this material on CDs. When people hear themselves they get excited
about media issuesiii .
Many civil society groups (apart from those that have a human rights background),
however, are of the view that media freedom issues are not within their ambit and
that the media should deal with these on their own.
A number of civil society organisations are publishing newsletters with content
that ranges from political stories to social issues. These are not regarded as
‘newspapers’ and therefore do not need registration with the state.
The results of all these activities are mixed, mainly because of the “absence of
political will” on the side of the government: “You can only do so much”.

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: 			

4.2

(2008: 3.1 ; 2006:2.5

iii Nkabazwe Community radio initiative based in Gweru was denied police clearance to hold a road show for
“security reasons” on 19 May 2010. The police said that the political environment was not conducive and
that other people with political interests might attend the event since it was an open show.

26

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2010

Select target paragraph3