SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the state broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. The Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) 2001 governs the industry and provides for a three-tier system - public, commercial and community broadcasting. It also establishes the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) Radio is a popular and the most accessible medium, hence government would prefer to control its influence. It is aware of the reach of radios and probably remembers that during the liberation struggle ZANU and ZAPU broadcast programmes that went out on shortwave on radio stations. Radio was the most effective means of reaching people in the then-Rhodesia and providing them with the latest news and propaganda. This seems to be the reason why there is no conducive environment for the development of broadcasting in Zimbabwe. There is a lack of political will to award licences to new players that might be difficult or impossible to control. The first two commercial radio licences were awarded in 2012 amongst much controversy. One was granted to former ZBC journalist Supa Mandiwanzira’s AB Communications, which owns ZI FM, and the other to government-controlled Zimpapers, which is planning to operate Zimpapers Talk Radio. No community radio has been licensed although there are quite number of initiatives across the country ready to go on air. They have to wait for the BAZ to invite applications for licences – but these invitations have not been forthcoming. This may be taken as an indication of the mistrust within government circles. They suspect that community radio stations have a political agenda not sympathetic to one of the political parties in government (ZANU PF) and that this could lead to ‘regime change’. 38 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2012