SECTOR 3 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 HAAC (Higher Broadcasting and Communication Authority) regulates the broadcasting sector. However, the appointment process of its members is not entirely transparent. 3 out of its 9 members are appointed by the National Assembly Bureau and another 3 by the President of the Republic. Only three (3) members are appointed by media professionals. The appointment process is conducted without consultation of other civil society actors. There is a real possibility for it to be dominated by a political party: it is often very likely that the 3 members appointed by the National Assembly Bureau and those appointed by the President of the Republic are on the same political side. In practice however, due to their non-renewable and non-revocable term of office, most members who have sat on the HAAC displayed a considerable degree of independence despite the enormous pressure on them. The fact that certain members of the HAAC took advantage of the silence of the law to become candidates during the general elections while their mission was to regulate the media’s participation in the electoral processes is to be deplored. 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: 3.2 (2007=n/a) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009 97