SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 Average score: 2.4 3.7 The editorial independence of the public broadcaster from commercial pressure and political influence is guaranteed by law and practised. ANALYSIS: Cape Verde’s broadcasting law states in its Section 3, that RNCV is the public broadcaster. Furthermore, Section 11 of the Media Law guarantees such freedom, and this is reinforced by Section 12 of the same law, which expressly outlaws censorship. There has been no hint of censorship of any nature, be it political, economic or religious, even if that is because the public broadcaster is managed as an independent corporation with its own autonomy. This is so, despite the fact that government has one representative each in the boards of both RNCV and TCV. SCORES Individual scores: 1, 2, 1, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3 Average score: 2.4 3.8 The public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference with its budget. ANALYSIS: The public broadcaster receives funding directly from the State Budget. In addition to that, there is a statutory radio and television fee, incorporated in the electricity and water bills. This fee is highly contested by those who feel that it should apply only to those who listen or watch public radio or television. To many, the indiscriminate charging of this fee should mean that it benefits the entire broadcasting industry, including the private sector. Those who support this idea argue that it does not make sense that the public broadcasters should benefit from both the fee and the State Budget, and still be allowed to compete for commercial advertising with the private broadcasters. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1 Average score: 1.5 38