SECTOR 3 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 Act establishes ZNBC as a public broadcaster, but in actuality, it operates as a state broadcaster. The draft constitution also provides for the ZNBC’s transition to being a public broadcaster. The ZNBC union is vested in “making sure that the ZNBC is transformed into a true public broadcaster” in order to justify why people should be paying licence fees. The MLC, MISA-Zambia and Afrimap are also working towards this end. In line with the act, the board is appointed by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, thus compromising the independence of the board, and opening up the possibility of political interference. Additionally, instead of being accountable to the public, “the broadcaster is accountable to the state, and toes the party line.” This is exacerbated by the fact that the ZNBC relies on the state for a significant part of its operational budget. Although the budget is approved by parliament, which is in turn accountable to the public, at the moment, the ZNBC is accountable only to the Ministry of Information. 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: 52 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013 1.3 (2011:1.1; 2009:1.2; 2007:1.2; 2005:1.0)