SECTOR 3 The Ordinance stipulates that the HCA be composed of 11 members appointed by decree of the State Council with a six-year term of office, renewable once. Members of an institution of the Republic, holders of any elective office in general and members of any political party or faction are not eligible for board membership. While, on paper, some of these provisions do meet the requirements of this indicator, in practice the body conducts its mission in a wholly untransparent manner. There is no clarity on the nomination procedure for members of the Board or on the definition of their tasks. Civil society is not consulted or involved in any way and the board operates in a rather obscure fashion. Given all this, the independence of the entity is not guaranteed. 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: 1.0 (2006 = n/a; 2008 = n/a) 3.3 The body regulates broadcasting services and licences in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. Shortcomings in the application of the law result in the often unsatisfactory regulation of broadcasting services and licences. The ministerial department which oversees the work of the Higher Broadcasting Board operates under obscure conditions. Except in cases where a decision becomes a news event and has mobilised public opinion, the Board’s decisions are neither known nor published and the reasons behind them are unexplained. In fact, the panel noted, they are left to the sole discretion of the ministry. Under these conditions the ability of the entity to safeguard the public interest, fairness and the diversity of views will be severely compromised. 102 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2010