SECTOR 3 3.4 The state/public broadcaster is accountable to the public through an independent board that is representative of the society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner The Madagascar Radio and Television Office is the state broadcaster. It is an industrial and commercial public institution which includes TVM (the national television channel) and RNM (the national radio). Since 2016, ORTM has had a board, set up by ministerial order, which includes representatives of the TVM Directorate, the RNM Directorate, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and ARTEC. The chairman of TVM board is the secretary general of the MCC. The board is not independent because the administration has control over it. All members are public officials and they are not appointed in a free and independent manner. 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: Score of previous years: ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ 1.3 2006: 1.1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1.1; 2016: 1 3.5 The editorial independence of the state/public broadcaster from political influence is guaranteed by law and practised to ensure balanced and fair news and current affairs programmes The definition and roles of ORTM’s public service are clearly set out in the Communication Code (articles 157 to 168). Nevertheless, editorial independence is mentioned in none of these articles. It is only during the election period that the public service has the obligation to process the information coming from all candidates in a fair manner, according to a distribution of speaking time that would be carried out by the ANRCM, once it is in place. In the meantime, it is up to CENI to play this role. Despite the efforts made, the public broadcaster is still considered to be an instrument serving the government and the administration. Reports on presidential trips or workshops involving ministers make up a larger share of airtime in TV or radio news reports. 37 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2019