SECTOR 3 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. A panellist reveals that between 2010 and 2012, the Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS) received an exceptional subsidy of 3 billion CFA (6 million US dollars) each year, following a decision by the President of the Republic Abdoulaye Wade. That is 7 to 10 times the amount of the state’s contribution to its running during the preceding years (between 300 and 400 million CFA, i.e. between 600,000 and 800,000 US dollars). However, in 2012, the state could only pay 2 billion (4 million US dollars) into the coffers of the RTS. The remaining 1 billion CFA (2 million US dollars) was settled in 2013. In addition, the RTS received the sum of 2 billion CFA (one million dollars) in 2012 from the national electricity company (SENELEC) as a so-called fee, as it is mistakenly referred to. According to the explanations of this panellist, it was, rather, a sum paid back by SENELEC, calculated on the basis of the maximum authorised result (RMA, an annual revenue ceiling set every three years by the Electricity Sector Regulatory Commission (CRSE)). All in all, these non-operating resources – even when added to the operating results – are insufficient to cover the financial needs of the RTS, starting with salaries and social security charges. And yet the RTS generates advertising revenue of 4 billion CFA (8 million US dollars) on average, annually (5.2 billion CFA (about 10.4 million US dollars) in 2008 and 3 billion (6 million US dollars) projected in 2013). Consequently the RTS is not immune to influence from the commercial sector. It thus happens sometimes that the public broadcaster is reduced to offering its public live sponsored private events (dances, gala dinners, etc.). The public broadcaster has also opted to encourage external productions remunerated from advertising revenue generated by broadcasting. 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: 108 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SENEGAL 2013 1.5 (2010:2.1; 2008:n/a; 2006:n/a)