SECTOR 1 could restrict freedom of expression and use laws hidden in the statute books”. “If the executive wants it, they could... use laws hidden in the statute books ” The constitution provides for the establishment of a National Media Commission (NMC) with the mandate to “promote and ensure the freedom and independence of the media for masscommunication or information” (article 167). The commission’s main tasks are to “ensure the establishment and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards in the mass media” and to “insulate the state-owned media from government control”. The NMC is mandated to deal with complaints from the public against the media and to appoint the board members of stateowned media. It is, however, not allowed to “exercise any control or direction over the professional functions of a person engaged in the production of newspapers or other means of communication” (article 173). (More details under indicators 2.4 referring to state-owned print media, 3.4 referring to the national broadcaster, and 4.1 referring to self-regulation of the media.) According to article 166 of the constitution the NMC consists of fifteen members: (a) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (b) (c) (d) one representative each nominated by the Ghana Bar Association; the Publishers and Owners of the Private Press; the Ghana Association of Writers and the Ghana Library Association; the Christian group (the National Catholic Secretariat, the Christian Council, and the Ghana Pentecostal Council) the Federation of Muslim Councils and Ahmadiyya Mission; the training institutions of journalists and communicators; the Ghana Advertising Association and the Institute of Public Relations of Ghana; and the Ghana National Association of Teachers; two representatives nominated by the Ghana Journalists Association; two persons appointed by the President; and three persons nominated by Parliament. Representatives from organisational clusters are appointed for three years on a rotational basis. Their terms are independent from those of governments making sure that members are not replaced whenever the ruling party changes. In spite of some reservations expressed by some of the panelists regarding the structure and level of openness for selection of members, there was consensus that by and large the system is working. The fact that the President appoints two members of the NMC, however, might affect freedom of expression particularly in the state-owned media which may be cajoled or cowed into playing to the tunes called by the political party in power. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011 11