SECTOR 3 3.4 The state/public broadcaster is accountable to the public through a board representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner. Panel members answered no to this question. Apart from the representative of the ORTB union, all board members are designated and appointed by the government in a manner which is far from being independent, open and transparent nor is the board representative of society at large. ORTB is under the supervision of the Ministry in charge of communications and its articles of agreement were prepared and adopted by a decree taken during a Cabinet meeting. The board of directors is composed of the following seven members who are all appointed and not elected: o Chair: representative of the Minister of Communications and ICTs o Members: • Representative of the Minister of Planning • Representative of ORTB personnel (only elected member) • Representative of the Minister of Finance • Representative of the Minister of Agriculture • Representative of consumers • A professional of the broadcasting sector The representative of the ORTB staff is generally identified and designated by the union and ORTB staff. However, the representative of consumers and the professional working in the broadcasting sector are identified and appointed on the basis of non-transparent Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 1.2 (2007=1.1) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009 99