SECTOR 3 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: 2.5 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body that is adequately protected by law against interference and whose board is not dominated by any particular political party and is appointed – in an open way - involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. The National Communication Commission (CNC) is the main regulatory body for of the media sector, which includes the audio-visual. The Commission is composed of nine members — three of them are appointed by the President of the Republic (PR), three by the President of the National Assembly and three by the corps of professionals. According to the law, the members elect the President of the CNC, but very often he is appointed by the PR. Worse yet, since the establishment of the Senate, the three members previously appointed by the corps of professionals are now appointed by the President of the Senate. As a result, all members of the CNC are close to the Government and are active members of the ruling party. The president of the current Commission is the former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He succeeded a former Minister of Energy. However, from time to time, even though it is very rare, the Commission demonstrates a certain impartiality and independence. An often cited case is the ruling of the CNC against La Griffe, a newspaper published by the Presidency of the Republic. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GABON 2016 93