SECTOR 3 At least two radio projects are believed to have folded up after waiting for many years without success. Radio Magnificat, an outfit owned by the Catholic Church waited five years and decided to begin broadcasting as a way of twisting the arm of the authorities: that was how the radio got formalised. People in the industry claim that frequencies are attributed selectively, mostly to people with close ties with the government. “They practice double standard by giving to some and not to others”. A separate law16 further regulates public broadcasting. It is mostly concerned with guaranteeing access to the public broadcaster for political parties, unions and other professional groups. Article 3 of the law obliges the public broadcaster to create space for the “direct expression” of the targeted groups in an equitable manner. 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: 2.5 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body adequately protected by law against interference whose board is appointed - in an open way - involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. The High Council for Freedom of Communication is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting throughout the country. It is vested with many powers, including setting conditions for the attribution and withdrawal of frequencies and press cards and even the closure of radio and TV channels. By law, it is an independent body. Article 2 of the 2003 law creating the organ state that: “The Supreme Council for Freedom of Communication is an independent administrative authority in charge of regulating freedom of communication.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 2013 105