Regional and International legislation Media in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has ratified regional and international In Zimbabwe, the media industry is conventions on freedom of the media which monopolised by the State. The government include the African Commission on Human and owns the only television network and all radio Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and the International stations with the exception of one ZiFM. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights However, the ZiFM is linked a Minister who is (ICCPR). Article 19 of the ICCPR states that everyone shall have the right “to hold opinions the ruling party's Member of Parliament. In the without interference” and to “freedom of print media the government dominates expression” which shall include freedom to seek, alongside a number of private players receive and impart information and ideas of all publishing daily and weekly newspapers. kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or through In addition, the media is polarised with clear any other media of his choice.” In 1991, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and divisions between the public/state and private Cultural Organisation adopted the Windhoek media. The state owned media that should Declaration on Promoting an Independent and serve the public interest is used mainly to Pluralistic African Press. The declaration says promote government and ruling party that the “maintenance and fostering of an policies and propaganda and to attack independent, pluralistic and free press is government opponents, both domestic and essential to the development and maintenance of foreign. The privately owned media acts as democracy in a nation and for economic development.” While in 2002 the ACHPR government watchdogs reporting mostly on adopted the Declaration of Principles on human rights violations and corruption. Freedom of Expression in Africa, which Because of this role played by the private provides useful benchmarks for any media media, the government views the private policy in Africa. 3 Building National Commitment Towards a Human Rights Culture