SECTOR 1 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities The AIPPA Act provides for the registration of media houses with the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC). In addition, media houses are subject to the jurisdiction of the ZMC. However, the ZMC is currently conflicted. According to the constitution, it is supposed to be a guardian to protect the public against abuses, but the AIPPA Act designates the ZMC as a regulator. There is therefore an inconsistency between the constitution and the Act. One panellist praised the ZMC as being ‘one of the best and friendliest print administrations in Southern Africa.’ But there are newspapers that are registered but not operational. ‘Some of these “briefcase” newspapers only appear towards elections.’ There is a registration fee of ZWL120 (approximately USD7 on the black market; USD5 at the interbank rate). Compared to television and radio, there are no hindering obstacles for registration of print media. Additionally, media houses are required to give 3% of their proceeds to the ZMC for the Media Development Fund, meant to provide media training, especially for community newspapers. However, to date, no organisation has remitted that money and government is reluctant to enforce this requirement. 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: Score of previous years: 12 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2020 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.4 2006: n/a; 2008: n/a; 2010: 1; 2012: 2.1; 2015: 1.3