CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANT THEMES Authority of Zimbabwe to licence community radio stations, encouraging MISA to intensify campaigns to transform ZBC into a public broadcaster, and calling for a discussion on ethics and professionalism in the media hosted by universities or other autonomous professional institutions. 2015 AMB Several significant positive developments were highlighted in this AMB following the adoption of a new constitution in 2013. These included media provisions in the new constitution, outcomes of the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry, licensing of new players in the broadcast sector, growth in ICTs, an increase in mobile penetration, a marked increase in online newspapers, the striking off of criminal defamation, and progress on digital migration. The negative developments included the closure of some media houses (Zimbabwe Mail, Southern Eye, The Zimbabwean and Flame News), the detrimental impact of the economic crisis on the media, threats made against private media by politicians, the arrest of state media officials, ongoing harassment of media workers, the detention of citizens for expressing their opinions, and lack of contracts for many media workers. Recommendations focused mainly on advocacy activities and included advocacy for media ethics classes in all training institutions, the elimination of gender disparities, the alignment of media laws to the provisions in the constitution, raising awareness of provisions of the new constitution and challenging laws not aligned with the constitution. It also recommended the involvement of media trainers; increasing awareness on media issues such as media performance, standards, and corruption, information sharing; action on critical issues such as sexual harassment, development of internal policies on gender, corruption, and freebies; and the orientation of new journalists on ethics. 2020 AMB Positive developments highlighted in this AMB included the improved relationship between the media and government; the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting had been proactive in disclosing information; there was some commitment by the government to reform laws that affect the media; and digital media had increased the participation of under-represented communities. Negative developments included delays in media law reform, the decline in standards of journalism, the public broadcaster’s lack of independence, poor salaries and working conditions of journalists, and the absence of private and community television stations. Other negative developments highlighted were the lack of diversity 45 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER 11 YEARS IN REVIEW