SECTOR 2

2.2
Citizens’ access to domestic and international
media sources is not restricted by state authorities.
Analysis:

In the past, there has always been a concerted effort by ZANU PF in the runup to elections to stop rural communities from accessing media: Wind up solar
powered radio sets supplied to rural communities were confiscated by the police
and print publications became a scarce commodity, particularly in ZANU PF
strongholds such as Mashonaland East, West and Central.
Attempts to jam Zimbabwean short wave radio stations transmitting into the
country have not impacted much on these externally based stations because they
are able to change frequencies. Ironically, the jamming seems to have impacted
negatively on ZBC’s SW services.
What is increasingly popular amongst the middle and higher income earning
groups is satellite television. Satellite dishes on rooftops of houses and apartments
all over the country are becoming a common sight.
Foreign newspapers are freely available, with the state-controlled daily The Herald
even distributing the South African Sunday Times as a business venture.

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: 			

2.3

(2008: 2.8 ; 2006:1.2)

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2010

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