SECTOR 3

These appointments were immediately contested by media organisations and the
Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Jameson Timba (MDC),
who described the appointments as unlawful and declared that the board was
unable to act legally on behalf of the authority. The Minister said: “Article 20.1.3
(p) of the 8th schedule of the Constitution states the President in consultation
with the Prime Minister makes key appointments the President is required to
make under and in terms of the Constitution and any Act of Parliament. If that is
not done then that Board or Commission is invalid.”
After the President and Prime Minister have agreed on the appointments to be
made, the minister added, the office of the President must then seek the views of
the Standing Rules and Orders Committee of Parliament (SROC).
Up to now there has been no such agreement between Robert Mugabe (ZANU
PF) as President and Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC) as Prime Minister and no
subsequent involvement of parliamentarians in the matter. With the board thus
not lawfully constituted, the authority is not operational.

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: 			

1.0

(2008: n/a ; 2006:n/a)

3.3
The body regulates broadcasting services and
licenses in the public interest and ensures fairness and a
diversity of views broadly representing society at large.
Analysis:

From the time it was established, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has
not issued any licenses.

46

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2010

Select target paragraph3