SECTOR 3 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: 1.5 (2011: n/a; 2009: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2005:n/a) 3.6 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from political interference through its budget and from commercial pressure. Aside from advertising income, the ZNBC relies on government funding for part of its operational expenditure, and a committee is set up each year and tasked with defending the budget to the Ministry of Information. The broadcaster produces annual financial results. This year, the broadcaster received a surge in funding due to broadcasting regional and international events that took place in the country, including the Cosafa Cup, the Zone VI Games and the World Trade Organisation meeting. ZNBC also receives income from licence fees, which the public pays directly into a ZNBC account. However, this income from licence fees amounts to less than the funding amounts provided by government through the annual budget. If income from licences superseded income from the national budget, “things would be different”. Others noted, however, that irrespective of the funding ratio, “we need a change in attitude and to follow the law to the letter in implementing the act.” In terms of political interference, the management of the broadcaster faces the challenge of trying to remain independent while relying on government for a good part of its funding. “This is where you say ‘you can’t bite the hand that feeds you’.” However, there is a push for the broadcaster to become more of a public broadcaster as opposed to a state broadcaster, in line with the ZNBC Act. “The tax man does not discriminate about who pays taxes, and so as a public broadcaster, we shouldn’t be selective about news, in the interest of the public.” 54 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013