State-owned publications are not subject to direct interference by the public authorities. But this interference is sometimes insidious, and zeal can be noted of certain general managers of state owned media houses who give themselves liberties above and beyond the mission that they have been assigned. However, the absence of a clear disposition protecting the management of these media institutions weakens them vis-à-vis the politicians. The government has established a support and development fund in aid of private media institutions (FSDP). This fund serves as a guarantee for loans and affords direct support for training purposes. In 2016, the subsidy for the purposes of printing was increased from 150 million FCFA (USD 253,493) to 800 million FCFA (USD 1,352,000), following a plea by media players. However, the large number of beneficiaries renders this fund inefficient, and media enterprises remain economically non-viable. The average circulation of publications does not exceed 5,000 copies. In spite of the existence, since 2014, of a Charter on Gender Equality in the media professions, media houses are still struggling to ensure a place for women in their content. Equal opportunity is promoted in the Ivoirian press, but women occupy few positions of responsibility. The media cover most subjects and points of view, with several specialised newspapers adding to content diversity in Cote d’Ivoire. Radio stations offer public interest programming, but the quality of this content needs to be improved, as do the living- and working conditions of their employees. A law exists that ensures the framework for the application of information and communication technology. It lowers the cost of, and makes certain equipment tax-free. Government is not the biggest advertiser, and can thus not influence editorial content by means of advertising contracts. Mobile telephone companies are the biggest advertisers, and award contracts in a preferential manner. The amount spent on advertising has reached approximately 8 billion FCFA (USD 13.676.100) since 2002. But this remains insufficient due to the large number of publications and the absence of tariff-standardisation. The Editors’ Association of Cote d’Ivoire has still not managed to unite its members on the question of the standardisation of the advertising sector. The 2004 law that determines the legal landscape of audio-visual media, has only been partially implemented. Restrictions on community radio-stations – such as the restriction that advertising revenue may not exceed 20% of total revenue/ turnover. In addition, their status is ill defined. Public Television (RTT) maintains its status as State-media, despite the law that states that: “state-owned audio-visual media enterprises, in the interest of the general public, pursue a public service mission”. 64 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Côte d’Ivoire 2016