SECTOR 3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body adequately protected by law against interference whose board is appointed - in an open way - involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. The Ivorian regulator for broadcast media is the CNCA (National Council for Audiovisual Communication), recently renamed HACA (High Authority for Audiovisual Communication). Provided that the conditions for its functioning are respected, the body is independent and protected by Law no. 2004-644, which has legal jurisdiction over communication and the broadcasting sector (Articles 27 and 44). Half of the office consists of nominated State representatives one person representing the President of the Republic, one the National Assembly, one the Minister of Communications) respectively. The other half of the representatives is drawn from professional organisations and associations. Members fulfil their duties for three years, with an option to extend, and the representative of the President of the Republic automatically takes on the function of the President of the HACA. The HACA’s budget comes through the Ministry of Finance but is managed autonomously. The Court of Auditors reviews the accounts without management controller but through a public accountant. The panel regrets that when the CNCA changed into the HACA, it was decided that the public accounting officer was to be replaced by a budget controller. The panellists concluded that while a body protected by the law against state interference regulated the broadcasting sector, they had to admit that it does not possess absolute independence. They do, in fact, recall how during the elections, the CNCA decided to place itself under the legal authority of the public service. They add that this body generally does consult civil society and professional associations. 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: 2.9 (2009: 4.4) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER COTE D’IVOIRE 2012 95