Zimbabwe 2002. Timber plantations are not being maintained and fall victim to regular veld fires resulting in limited supplies. Plantations that have not been seized yet are under notice of acquisition by government. Farmers are therefore unable to produce as their farms can be taken over any time. Due to the unavailability of foreign currency, little or no newsprint is imported. Books are printed in South Africa as the costs there are one third of those in Zimbabwe. SCORES: Individual score: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1.0 2.10 Private media outlets operate as efficient and professional businesses. ANALYSIS: Generally, private media houses try to operate as efficient and professional businesses. The Zimbabwe Independent, for example, gets its paper out on time, and management is seriously committed to making a profit. Regular board meetings are held and the board does its best to leave editorial policy to the staff. The paper is cross-subsidised by other businesses such as Munn Marketing, a company that distributes foreign publications (this enterprise could be in danger if foreign print media are indeed banned, as planned). 20 African Media Barometer - Zimbabwe 2006