SECTOR 3 Levies are paid either through a monthly deduction of K3,000 (US$4) by the Zambia Electricity Company from all electricity users or through the Residents’ Development Committees in the townships. First-time buyers or television sets also pay an amount of K36,000 (US$49; equivalent to a year of monthly levies). Some of the main advertisers, such as banks and mobile phone companies, sponsor news broadcasts on radio and television, putting commercial pressure on the broadcaster not to air stories critical of these companies. 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: 2.3 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 =1.3) 3.8 The state/public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country. Terrestrially, ZNBC TV is available in 65 out of the country’s 72 districts – an improvement on 2009 when the state broadcaster’s television signal reached only 63 districts through analogue aerials. DSTV subscribers are able to receive ZNBC via satellite throughout the country. ZNBC radio technically reaches all 72 districts, although the signal is weak in some of the country’s more remote border areas. This applies to ZNBC TV also: Zambians residing near the border with Zimbabwe, for example, can pick up a better quality of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation signal than that coming from ZNBC. It was pointed out that the state is attempting to make its broadcasting service accessible to the entire country and the broadcaster is replacing old transmitters to improve the situation. ZNBC radio is not on the DSTV satellite bouquet but Radio 1 and 4 are available online. 48 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011