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. Analysis Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is not funded by the Treasury. It gets revenue from commercial advertising. While it is treated as a state corporation, the government itself owes the Corporation large sums of money in debts. Similarly, KBC has debts with other state corporations including Kenya Power and Lighting Co, the Postal Corporation of Kenya and bodies dealing with copyright and royalties. These old debts are up to the tune of Kshs 20 billion. It continues to operate on obsolete technology whose maintenance costs continue to skyrocket. This old technology uses high power which translates to more costs. However, the year 201024 will bring a sigh of relief to KBC’s financial pressures, as the Kenya Communications (Broadcasting) Regulations 2009, now provide that KBC (11) (2) shall be supported by revenues from the exchequer, grants, donations and its commercial services but shall not draw from advertising and sponsorship. However, CCK may on application by KBC (4) grant a private/ commercial broadcasting license, and may require KBC (5) to maintain separate accounts in respect of its Public broadcasting services and private/commercial broadcasting services. KBC may when providing its commercial services enter into public private partnership: provided that the public private partnership complies with the law relating to public procurement. KBC is the designated signal carrier as Kenya enters into digital broadcasting. It is anticipated that the tariffs for signal distribution will contribute to its budget. 24 The new regulations took effect after Media Barometer 2009 had taken place. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009 45