SECTOR 2 2.4 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. Article 36 of the 1996 Law establishes the editorial independence of the Congolese Press Agency’s (ACP), the only print media body in the Congo published by a public authority. This article stipulates: “the State media are to be independent, neutral and respectful of the principle that all are equal in front of the law. They cannot under any circumstance manipulate the accuracy and objectivity of information.” In theory, there is no abusive political interference but in practice Monday editorials signed by the general manager entitled “the editor’s point of view” take a strong stand in favour of the ruling power. By doing so the managing editor’s editorials position the newspaper, which consequently is considered a sounding board for the party in power. According to certain panellists, citizens indeed often accuse the ACP’s bulletin of being biased in favour of the regime by selecting news items that are approving of the regime and disregarding those that are critical. Monitoring efforts the Congolese Media Observatory (OMEC) conducted in 2012 on the dispositions of said Article 36 highlight in fact a distortion of the ACP’s production to 95% in favour of the ruling power. Some observers reckoned that since the publication of the OMEC report, the ACP’s tendency has greatly improved, which does not, however, mean that the ACP’s independence is protected. 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: 1.5 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Democratic Republic of Congo 91