SECTOR 3 “When there are panel discussions on the ZNBC, the broadcaster will skew the discussion of a particular topic in favour of government by inviting only people who are in favour of the government’s position.” Directors at the ZNBC are political appointees, who in turn will appoint staff who will toe the government line. The ZNBC has no known editorial charter. 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: 1.8 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 = 1.4) 3.7 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference through its budget and from commercial pressure. The ZNBC is funded by TV licences (these were renamed ‘levies’ in 2010) advertisements and a state subsidy. The broadcaster is particularly dependent on the state subsidy and “won’t survive if government withdrew this”.9 The subsidy is intended to cover core costs, such as staff salaries, and as such state interference is possible. There is a perception that the ZNBC is “over-funded by government” and that its management is “too bloated”. “They have cameras, they have transport. From our perspective as outsiders, the ZNBC is definitely not struggling financially.” 9 According to the ZNBC Annual Reports, state subsidy has varied from K 1.9 billion (US$375,000) in 2003/4 to K 4.6 billion (US$900,000) in 2005/6. Annual reports for 2006/7, 2007/8 and 2008/9 have not been released to the public yet (OSI, 2010, p. 80-81) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011 47