SECTOR 4 4.3 The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local and investigative stories. The media does not cover all events and topics. In particular economic subjects and issues under investigation rarely feature in the print media and even less so on radio or TV. According to journalists, this is due to high investigation costs in these areas. Another reason often brought forward is the inaccessibility of economic statistics. The Congolese Press Agency, however, considerably improved its coverage of a large range of topics, covering virtually all beats. The big private newspapers such as “Le Phare” and “Le Potentiel” in fact, frequently pick up the ACP’s bulletin. 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: 3.7 4.4. Equal opportunities regardless of race or ethnicity, social group, gender/sex, religion, disabilities and age are promoted in media houses. No media body discriminates against any of these different categories. There is however a unique situation to print media with its deadline constraints, amongst others, due to which only 30% of its staff are women. However, the issue at stake in the sector is more one of skills instead of gender equality, given that when the skills are there, they are promoted. An excellent physically disabled cartoonist who is part of the editorial team of a large media entity in Kinshasa comes to mind. Approximately 1/3 of staff numbers at RTNC are made up of women with a more significant proportion at the television. Few of them, however, fill managerial positions. 114 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Democratic Republic of Congo