Although broadcasting legislation exists, it does not provide an environment conducive to public, commercial or community broadcasts. There are two regulating bodies with no authority, namely the Supreme Community Council (CSC) and the Committee of Equal Access to State Media (CNEAME). The Ministry for Communication and Information Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local and Regional Government, allocate channels to private broadcasters. No legal provisions or rules exist explicitly to protect media bodies from political interference. Although there is no direct pressure, there is a traditionally institutional, pro-Government attitude within these bodies. Some journalists are sometime over-zealous in this regard. Public broadcasting in Mali remains below international standards. The board of the Office of Radio and Television Broadcasting of Mali (ORTM), chaired by a designated minister (currently the Minister for Communications and Information Technology) is made up of members selected without the involvement of civil society. There is no law that guarantees the ORTM’s independence from the State and two-thirds of the ORTM’s budget of 6 billion FCFA is funded by the State. The ORTM has a demographic coverage between 75 and 80 per cent of the population. The geographic coverage is around 90 per cent. While the ORTM provides a variety of predominantly local programmes, not all the interests and expectations of the listeners are fulfilled. In terms of the State’s radio offerings, the eight regional stations are functional with considerably varied local content. The national television station broadcasts news and opinions mostly from a Government point of view, although the State-run radio stations make tangible efforts to consider different opinions and views. Despite these initiatives and reforms, ‘old habits die hard’, and there is a need for courageous leadership at ORTM to inspire the spirit of modern public service. In view of consolidating democracy, a process of legislative documentation review is taking place. In February 2008, inspired by numerous evident dysfunctions, the country’s president established a committee to review all laws and regulations. Most of the legislation relating to media freedom and freedom of expression is expected to be revised. The Mali media sector offers many sources of information via the broadcast and print media and the internet. This information is in French and other national languages. In Mali there are 300 private radio stations and 200 newspapers, among which about 40 appear more or less regularly. There is only one television station, Mali TV, which is State-run via ORTM. In general, media diversity is officially promoted by the State, but there is a lack of policy to make the media economically viable. Women remain a minority in the editing sector of the media and their voices are not fairly heard. In general, the media reflects the voices of society in its ethnical, linguistic, religious, political and social diversity. Nevertheless, some subjects, AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALI 2010 77