SECTOR 3 that the main motive for suspending the broadcasting licences had to do with ensuring that the presidential election petition was blacked out, as the targeted radio and television stations were perceived to have had the capacity to provide a platform for petitioners and their supporters to influence public opinion. As it happened, the suspensions were only lifted after the presidential election petition was dismissed by the Constitutional Court. 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: 2.0 (2013:1.8; 2011:1.1; 2009:1.0; 2007:1.0; 2005:1.0) 3.4 The state/public broadcaster is accountable to the public through an independent board which is representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner. The ZNBC Board is “not inclusive,” as it does not include, “representatives of society at large” or members of civil society on the Board. The “provision of the appointment committee would have helped,” to have a board, “of independent minds.” But with the amendment of the ZNBC Act, the minister can freely appoint the Board. By the beginning of 2017, the term of the previous Board had come to an end. In the interim before a new Board is appointed, the minister and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services are in charge. In is unclear when the new Board will be appointed. (As has happened in the past, the appointment of ZNBC board members is at the minister’s pleasure and the vacancies can remain unfilled indefinitely). AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2017 49