SECTOR 2 There are numerous economic hurdles to starting broadcasting stations, including registration, re-registration, annual fees, music fees, an import tax on equipment, etc. Thus, ‘It is not very attractive as a business.’ In the print media sector, there are also high costs on importing newsprint, and this makes it difficult to operate viable media houses. 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: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.0 2006: n/a; 2008: n/a; 2010: 1.3; 2012: 2.2; 2015: 1.5 2.7 All media fairly represent the voices of all gender The media is predominantly male-populated, especially at senior management level. This limits the voice of women in the media. Even the content of stories is predominantly about men – including on women’s issues or topics that are culturally/socially viewed as being in the domain of women. Reports on a discussion about a proposed ban (for environmental reasons) on disposable diapers, for example, were dominated by male voices, when a more balanced perspective should’ve been sought, as should be the case on every issue. There is also a challenge on women themselves. Women are reluctant to speak, unless they do so in the presence of their husbands. There are few cases of positive coverage of women, and stereotypes (regarding both men and women) continue to be reinforced. With regard to training, although two thirds of media trainees are female, in practice, you will hardly find female journalists. Most female students move into ‘soft’ professions such as public relations or marketing. On a positive note, one female editor established two new publications over a period of two years. 23 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2020