SECTOR 2 2.11 The country has a coherent and comprehensive ICT policy framework and/or the government promotes and implements measures, which meet the information needs of the public, including under-served communities The country has no coherent ICT policy and there are many gaps in legislation, especially regarding issues of data handling. Even where policies do exist, implementation is lacking. Government measures are focused on building base stations for underserved communities. This is a good initiative, but there is more that is needed for effective information distribution. Government websites, for example, often lack relevant content. One example given was the possibility of processing passport applications online, which has still not been implemented. The universal access fund from telecoms operators is designed to help fund further development in this area. 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: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.8 2006: n/a; 2008: n/a; 2010: 1.2; 2012: 2.9; 2015: 2.4 2.12 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content Although there are private advertisers who exert pressure on the media, there is not as much pressure from the government. Under the previous administration, government pressure was more apparent. An example was given of a minister who, in 2014, indicated to a newspaper critical of government, that ‘if parastatals were instructed not advertise, it might cause financial damage to the newspaper.’ This was interpreted as a veiled threat to that publication. 27 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2020