3.5 The public broadcaster is accountable to the public through a board representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner. ANALYSIS: In all public/state media institutions the election of members of the boards follows nominations from within the ruling party. There is no transparency in this process, with the consequence that the appointees are not very concerned with the actual service that they are expected to deliver to the public. First and foremost, there is an overwhelming preoccupation with pleasing those who nominate them. As an example, the previous director of the National Radio of Angola, who is now Minister of Communications, occupied the post while at the same time being part of the Central Committee of the ruling party. The same goes for the director of the state newspaper and the news agency. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.6 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.1 Persons who have vested interests of a political or commercial nature are excluded from possible membership in the board, i.e. office bearers with the state and political parties as well as those with a financial interest in the broadcasting industry. ANALYSIS: The main criterion for the selection of persons to serve on administrative bodies of state media is their closeness to the ruling party and their ability to guarantee the defence of the interests of those in power. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.7. 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.1 The editorial independence of the public broadcaster from commercial pressure and political influence is guaranteed by law and practice. ANALYSIS: Although the Act on Broadcasting Activities is clear in demanding independence in matters of programming [article 8 (2)], this provision is not respected even at the most basic level. Very strong political influence dictates all manner of activities and the broadcaster’s operational line, editorial or otherwise. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2005 1, 4, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 4 2.3 -183- Media Institute of Southern Africa