SECTOR 3 3.7 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference through its budget and from all commercial pressure. Every year a budget for the RTNC is drawn up and voted on. It is complemented by additional revenue from advertising and also products coming from other services such as the RTNC hotel10. This budget comprises of three sections: salaries paid by the State, an investment and an operating budget. As a result of the RTNC’s method of financing, the budget, due to a sluggish state administration, is not always available when requested. Added to this, comes the fact that salaries are paid by the State, which gives it leverage to interfere in the way, it is run. This is one of the reasons why the RTNC is not yet in a position to operate like a public media service provider. Ironically, RTNC operates satellite TV, which means that there are financial resources that allow it to maintain this presence. As a result the question is less one of financing but political will to turn it into a genuine public service provider. 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: 1.6 3.8 The state/public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country. In theory, the satellite bouquet’s coverage of the territory is ensured. In many areas, such as in Bukavu, in Katana (50km from Bukavu) or in Zongo, in Equator Province, however, RTNC is inaccessible. 10 The hôtel de presse INVEST is owned by the RTNC but its financial management is in the hands of a private entity, disbursing royalties to the RTNC every month. Invest is situated in the same precinct as RTNC, in the municipality of Lingwala in Kinshasa. 106 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Democratic Republic of Congo