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. On paper, board members of public broadcasters are drawn from diverse sectors. In practice, however, they are “government, government, government”. Board members are appointed in ways that do not require them to be accountable to the public. As a result, they are neither independent nor do they serve the public interest. 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: 1.8 (2008: 1.2; 2011: 1.1) 3.5 The editorial independence of the state/public broadcaster from political influence is guaranteed by law and practised to ensure balanced and fair news and current affairs programmes. The enabling Acts of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Nigerian Television Authority, Voice of Nigeria, and News Agency of Nigeria all give the Minister of Information the right to give directives to any of the public broadcasters, which are obliged to comply. A few managers have tried to resist external influence, but always run into problems and get fired. Managers are generally under a lot of pressure from ministers, particularly because there is no legal guarantee for editorial independence. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2015 43