other parties have little opportunity to disseminate their own information and views, and to counter attacks by ZANU (PF)74. The power of the media is summed up by Friedman, who says, in respect of the first democratic elections in South Africa, that: Indeed, in a society such as South Africa, where most voters rely on vernacular language radio or television for their political information, the fact that all parties had access to these electronic media may have done more to ensure that all enjoyed access to voters than the electoral fund75. In the light of the above, it is the Consultant’s view that with the exception of the state security apparatus (this includes the police, defence forces and intelligence agencies), especially in the case of Zimbabwe, the State owned and controlled media is the most powerful public resource at the disposal of a governing party. 5.0. Recommendations It is ZESN’s view that the principle of public funding of political parties in Zimbabwe is not really in question. Public funding of political parties is common throughout the world and, where this is done in a transparent, accountable and equitable manner, it encourages political pluralism and truly democratic practices while minimising the obvious advantage that governing parties have over other parties. It also helps to save from collapse due to the lack of funding, new or existing smaller parties which may be serious political contenders capable of making a meaningful contribution to political and electoral competition. The law governing public funding of political parties in Zimbabwe, the Political Parties (Finance) Act, is not a perfect law. We have discussed above a number of its shortcomings, particularly with regard to issues pertaining to transparency and accountability. ZESN therefore makes the following recommendations to reform the law relating to public funding of political parties in Zimbabwe, with a view to ensuring equity, limiting corruption and undue advantage of incumbency and bigger parties, and promoting transparency and accountability. I. The law on public funding of political parties must be explicit as to why political parties should receive funding from the State i.e. to promote political pluralism and truly democratic practices in the country. We 74 75 Ibid, pp. 17-18. Friedman, p.4. 29