SECTOR 4 • • Zimpapers has a code of conduct and when a story has to be retracted, disciplinary measures are taken against the offending journalist. ZBC has a code of conduct that journalists are expected to follow. The Voice of Zimbabwe has set up a website and provides an email address for complaints. There are plans in the pipeline for the Zimbabwe Media Commission to set up a statutory media council under regulations laid out in AIPPA. The statutory media council will run parallel to the VMCZ. Media organisations have categorically stated that they will not participate in the process of setting up such a statutory media council and will not endorse representatives from the media as requested under AIPPA. The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) is one of the organisations that are expected to nominate candidates for positions in the media council but they have declined to do so. The ZMC is planning to go ahead regardless whether they are supported by the media or not. 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: 3.2 (2010:2.8; 2008:1.7; 2006:1.1) 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. Some media houses try hard to ensure information is confirmed, facts are checked and figures are accurate. There are other sections of the media where this thorough process is ignored and there is no accuracy at all. Too often, the media use the term “impeccable sources” or “sources close to”, turning the story faceless. “There are certainly instances were sources have to be confidential and their names not published but journalists abuse these terms.” The Herald has attempted to address this problem by ensuring that their journalists provide the names of their sources to the editor and news editor. If the journalist refuses to provide the name of his or her source, the story is spiked. Of concern is the tendency by journalists in both state and private media to make up quotes. Headlines are often inaccurate or misleading. In a bid to capture the AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2012 51