SECTOR 3 3.1 Broadcasting legislation is passed and is implemented, and provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting The Broadcasting Services Act of 2007 is in place, and is implemented by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ). An amendment to the Act (Chapter 12: 06) – focussed on licensing fees – was passed in 2016. This was, however, selectively disowned by the BAZ. Engagements with the intention of reviewing the legislation are ongoing. However, it is still too early to gauge progress in this regard. Although licencing for public and commercial radio broadcasting exists, there is still no definitive legislation regarding community broadcasting. The BAZ has called for applications for television and radio licences, but they have not yet done so for commercial television. A frequency allotment plan has been published, introducing private television on top of the ongoing digitalisation process. It seems there is only ‘partial interest to fully go digital in Zimbabwe.’ Currently, the deadlines set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for digitalisation have been missed by the country. 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: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.4 2006: 1; 2008: 1.1; 2010: 1.3; 2012: 1.8; 2015: 2.3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body adequately protected against interference by law, and whose board is appointed in an open and transparent manner involving civil society and is not dominated by any particular political party The current Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) Board, established in 2019, comprises mainly ruling party and former military members. The constitution stipulates the exclusion of any serving military personnel in public 31 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2020