Zimbabwe
of the dailies with the figure increasing to 20 per copy of weekly
newspapers.
All papers are very expensive. A copy of The Herald presently costs
Z$100 000 per copy, nearly as much as a loaf of bread - and most
people prioritise bread over newspapers.
There is also lack of access to books as they are very expensive and
sometimes unavailable. Even bibles which were at one time available almost free of charge are not affordable any more - they cost
Z$900 000.
Broadcasting:
Broadcasting in Zimbabwe has been described as “narrowcasting”
as the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings has a monopoly over the airwaves. There is no other broadcasting operator
in the country. Radio Dialogue, a Bulawayo-based community radio
initiative, organises road shows and produces tapes and CDs but is
not allowed to go on air.
Internet:
Very few Zimbabweans have private access to Internet. Wider public access is via Internet Cafes, but they are outrageously priced
beyond the reach of many. Those who have access mainly use the
facilities at their workplaces. Access in Harare, the country’s capital city is further hampered by regular electricity outages (four or
five times a week for two hours).
An Interception of Communications Bill will make the surveillance
of all communication including internet traffic “legally” possible
has been drafted. In the draft, the persons who can make applications for the interception of communications include the Chief of
Defence Intelligence, the Director-General of the President’s department of national security, the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe
African Media Barometer - Zimbabwe 2006

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