bility of granting frequencies. This body operates based on two legal instruments. The INCM was the arm of the Transport and Communications Ministry and there was a decree that laid down its responsibility for the radio electrical Spectrum of the country. Another Decree from 1992 regulates the access to frequencies. The Information Office (Gabinete de Informação) (GABINFO) confines itself to confirm that the requesting media organisation is in compliance with the Media Law. SCORES: Individual scores: 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1 Average score: 1.0 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: The Board of Directors of the Public broadcasters is appointed by the Government according to a criterion that was never revealed to the public. These Boards do not represent ever the Mozambican Society. Only one of its members is elected by the workers, but the efficacy of such a person in the protection of the workers’ interests it is often very weak. Although legally the public broadcasting services are public entities, the way in which their Board of Executives are appointed based on the discretionary powers of the government, effectively transform them in state organs. SCORES: Individual scores: 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1 Average score: 1.0 3.6. Persons who have vested interests of a political or commercial nature are excluded from possible membership in the board, i.e. office bearers with state and political parties as well as those with a financial interest in the broadcasting industry. Analysis: At the moment it is not possible to guarantee this because the model used is problematic, and in fact the members of the Board of Directors become “hostages” of the government through the Lady Prime Minister who is responsible for the nomination of the Chair Persons of such Boards. The government, and not the National Parliament, also maintains its control over the Board through financing, which is guaranteed through contracted programmes that the public service enter with the government. (N.B. – these programmes are commissioned by the government to the public services and contracts are signed for their delivery and broadcasting, thus guaranteeing the financing of the services). SCORES: Individual scores: 2; 1; 2; 2; 2; 2; 2; 2; 2; 2 Average score: 1.9 So This Is Democracy? 2007 -185- Media Institute of Southern Africa