The Congolese Press Agency (ACP) is the sole public body for print media. In practise, this agency is not in control of its editorial independence as outlined by the law. Courier companies in charge of distribution are non-existent. As a result publications are difficult to distribute in urban areas, the interior of the country and in the rural areas, given the lack of communication lines. Depending on election times, tensions or war, access to international media is sometimes restricted by the authorities: signals for international radio and television stations cut, international newspapers banned. There is no legislation to regulate competition in the media sector. Media groups have as many press bodies, as they are financially able to afford. Every year since 2007, the government has been voting on budgets to support the media. This budget, which increased from US$ 1 million to US$ 2 million in 2009, has never reached its beneficiaries. A study undertaken by the Union of Congolese Women in the Media (UCOFEM) revealed that in 2011, only 5% of women featured in the media, speaking about education and health matters. The number of women media professionals stands at 22%; they are predominantly to be found in the audiovisual media sector. No media body discriminates against the different layers of society. Political matters, however, are handled in an uneven manner in public media. Monitoring conducted by the Congolese Media Observatory (OMEC) in April 2012 highlighted the dominance of the presidential majority in the public media sector over the opposition. Advertising contracts by the government are rare but are often attributed without objective criteria and in a partial manner on an ad hoc basis. There is no advertising market nor are there advertising companies within the media sector. The only sectors that commission advertising are brewing and phone companies. Chapter III of Law no. 96-002 of 22 June 1996 focuses on legislation relating to the audiovisual sector in articles 50 to 72. This law specifies an enabling environment for the audiovisual sector in general but it completely ignores local and community media and its application is selective. These media only exist due to patrons, outside partners and NGOs. Under article 212, the Constitution foresees the establishment of the High Council for Broadcasting and Communication (CSAC). Its area of competence is restricted to “guaranteeing and ensuring the freedom and protection of the media as well as all means of mass communication in compliance with the law.” The CSAC also has the duty to “watch over professional ethics in terms of news and the equitable access of political parties, associations and citizens to official means of information and communications.” 70 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Democratic Republic of Congo