Regarding information and communication technology, the computer penetration level is low (1.06% in 2007 compared to 5.63% in Tunisia, for instance, during the same period).3 Some newspapers have websites. Advertisement revenue of the media In Algeria, all public structures are compelled to go through the government advertising agency to place their ads in the media. And this agency does not place these ads objectively. Yet the advertisement market is sizeable enough to support media activities. It is estimated at 350 million US dollars per year. Broadcasting legislation and regulation There is no specific broadcasting legislation apart from Act 90-07 which has practically become obsolete. There is no regulatory organ either. Public broadcasting management and operation There is no public broadcasting board of directors. It is directly under the control of the civil service and the government is its main donor. Recruitment and operating procedures are not conducted in an independent manner. Availability of the public broadcaster’s transmission signal The public broadcaster covers the entire country. The transition to digital should be done in 2015. Content is rather monolithic with a predominance of government-related topics. During electoral periods, however, an ad hoc commission coordinates access to the public broadcaster. This access is reserved exclusively for parties participating in the election. There is no community-based media. Ethics and the media There is a self-regulatory structure established by the media but it is not functional. Some newspapers have therefore come up with internal arrangements. 3 See indicator 2.9 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ALGERIA 2009 9