SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.7 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 1.2 (2005 = 1.1) The editorial independence of the public broadcaster from commercial pressure and political influence is guaranteed by law and practiced. ANALYSIS: The letter and spirit of the ZNBC (Amendment Act) 2002 removed ministerial control over the ZNBC and thus also guaranteed its editorial independence. By giving the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services the right to veto nominations for board members, the Supreme Court in its March 2007 judgement effectively nullified this guarantee. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.8 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 1.2 (2005 = 1.1) The public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference with its budget. ANALYSIS: ZNBC is reasonably well funded. Revenues come from television licence fees, advertising, and government subvention in the order of at least K20-30 million in grants per month. Through the government grant, which is supposed to cover the salary bill, interference is possible. Licence fees are collected through the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) customer billing system and the Residents’ Development Committees in townships. These fees have contributed substantially to the recent improvement in ZNBC’s financial position. However, the system of ZESCO collecting the fees is presently subject to a legal challenge on the grounds that ZESCO can only levy for electricity. Another reason forwarded is that not everyone who uses electric power necessarily has a TV set or access to television signals. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3.9 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 1 1.6 (2005 = 1.1) The public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country. ANALYSIS: ZNBC radio and television broadcasts now reach all 72 districts in Zambia. The TV signal, though, does not get through to a few very remote areas of the country. So This Is Democracy? 2007 -264- Media Institute of Southern Africa