SECTOR 3 3.9 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests. In its Cahier des Charges (contract specifications), RTI introduced a quota system to ensure variety of programmes. This approach has made it significantly easier to maintain diversity. Weekly programming is divided into seven periods of 24 hours and affects the programmes based on a percentage per cluster. The channel offers cultural programmes, comedies, music, and soaps. Up to now, RTI has primarily bought foreign productions as they cost less (for example Turkish soaps). The panel, however, believes that it has been broadcasting more and more regional reports on the region or farmers. The information is even broadcasted in national languages. Unfortunately, it is rather common that RTI, under certain financial pressures and pressures by the ratings, sacrifices the programme clusters and quota system outlined by the programming specifications. Hence certains programmes are interrupted or can dissapear due to budget constraints. Moreover, the national channel practically never offers major debates on national problems or questions of public interest. The panel, for example, remarked that the channel has never initiated any debate when schools were closed. It also recalls that religious programmes and programmes on women feature less. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 100 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER COTE D’IVOIRE 2012 2.2 (2009: 2.1)