constitutional reform consultation meeting in Mt. Darwin on January 30, 2010, and impounding 500 copies of the MDC’s publication.49 The European Union in January 2009 imposed targeted sanctions—namely visa restrictions and asset freezes—on several senior officials working for government news outlets, in addition to those imposed on Mugabe’s inner circle, because of their involvement in ���activities that seriously undermine freedom of expression and the media.” The EU also imposed targeted sanctions on Tafataona Mahoso, then chairperson of the Media and Information Commission, for “bearing wide responsibility for serious violations of the freedom of expression and media.”50 Myth of Media Reform The media reforms that have been undertaken under the power-sharing government, which include the establishment of the Zimbabwe Media Commission, are inconsequential, despite government claims that real change has occurred. Despite commitments to open up media space and the airwaves, the government has not licensed any new media houses or broadcasters to operate. At the signing of the Global Political Agreement in September 2008, the parties noted that while the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act permit the issuance of licenses, no licenses other than to the government-controlled ZBC had been issued.51 At this writing, the situation remains unchanged. The few Zimbabweans who can afford internet access or digital television can obtain balanced news on Zimbabwe. But for the vast majority of people, the only sources of broadcast news beyond government-controlled television and radio are the three “pirate radio stations”: SW Radio Africa (based in the UK); Studio 7, Voice of America (US); and Voice of the People (South Africa), which broadcast daily into Zimbabwe. ZANU-PF has demanded that these stations close down, however, and apply for licenses to operate in Zimbabwe.52 Before the formation of the power-sharing government, between 2004 and 49 Violet Gonda, “WOZA and MDC activists arrested over constitution discussions,” SW Radio Africa, February 2, 2010, http://www.swradioafrica.com/news020210/woza020210.htm (accessed March 25, 2010). 50 “Council Common Position 2009/68/CFSP of 26 January 2009 renewing restrictive measures against Zimbabwe,” The Council of the European Union, Brussels, January 26, 2009. 51 GPA, art. 19. 52 The resolutions of the ZANU-PF party held at its 5th Ordinary People’s Congress at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), in Harare, from December 9 – 13 2009. 17 Human Rights Watch | April 2010