SECTOR 3 3.7 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference through its budget and from commercial pressure. The GBC is not adequately funded, it is in fact “financially disabled”. Subsidies from government are not even sufficient for salaries and sometimes the payment of staff is delayed. In order to survive the GBC sells a lot of airtime, undercutting the rates set by the private competition, and has to succumb to the wishes of potential clients. The result is that the output of the GBC too often resembles that of a commercial broadcaster rather than offering a service to the public. 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: 2.1 (2008: n/a; 2006: n/a) 3.8 The state/public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country. GBC’s radio channels have nationwide coverage and television reaches 82 per cent of the country. The availability of electricity, however, remains a challenge with people being forced to improvise and use car batteries for example to power their television sets. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011 39