SECTOR 3 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. Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) is the public broadcaster, which, in reality, acts as a state media organisation. According to Article 108 of the law of 2004, “public sector bodies have to guarantee honesty, independence and pluralism of information as well as the pluralist expression of currents of thought and opinions with respect to the principle of equal treatment and following the directives of the HACA.” Despite this guarantee, the panel noted that the misplaced zeal of some directors hinders the full achievement of these objectives. 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: 2.3 (2012 = n/a, 2009 = n/a) 3.6 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from political interference through its budget and from commercial pressure. RTI’s budget depends largely on the Ministry of Communication and the Ministry of Finance. In 2013, the annual receipts of the RTI increased to 5,6 billion CFA (USD9.573.240). However, despite these subventions from government (and from Ivoirians through their tax contributions) and its own sources of income from fees, advertising and shows, RTI is not adequately financed, and its budget has not evolved for 3 years. From this point of view, the RTI – by virtue of its status and function – is considered a little like a business where each political party in power crams its activists. Panellists were in agreement that political interference exists. 98 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Côte d’Ivoire 2016