Zimbabwe the other papers followed suit. Self-censorship in the independent media is also motivated by fear of offending advertisers. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 3 Average score: 1.7 4.7. Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. ANALYSIS: There needs to be a distinction between positive/reasonable interference and negative/unreasonable interference by the owners. Problems occur when an editor-in-chief is also the publisher/owner of a media outlet. In these cases, there will always be active intervention as he/she will be part of the editorial team. In the interest of independent publishing, the blurring of the separation of powers between owners and editors is of great concern. Owners sometimes call to say they want to see certain stories in the paper or the chief executive will walk into the news room, look at the lead story and make comments on which direction the story should take. Cases where the owner phones journalists to alert them to events that might interest them without complaining should the suggestion not be taken up are not seen as unreasonable interference. SCORES: Individual scores: 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 4, 3, 3 Average score: 2.2 African Media Barometer - Zimbabwe 2006 35