SECTOR 3 3.5 Office bearers with the State and political parties as well as those with a financial interest in the broadcasting industry are excluded from possible membership on the board of the state/public broadcaster. The TCRA Act of 2003 does not stipulate that office bearers with the state or political parties or those with financial interests in the broadcasting industry be disqualified from membership on the TBC or ZBC boards. Panellists noted that in the past, some board members were simultaneously political office bearers with the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi. 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: 1.5 (2010 = 1.7; 2008 = 1.9; 2006 = 1.3) 3.6 The editorial independence of the state/public broadcaster from political influence is guaranteed by law and practiced. The TCRA Act of 2003 stipulates that a charter must be signed between the TBC/ ZBC and the Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports to ensure the broadcasters’ editorial independence. Panellists noted that such a charter was in existence but it has not been made public. It is not known whether the charter has been signed. If so, it appears to be ineffectual, because the TBC is known to receive directives from its bosses not to air particular programmes, which may shed a negative light on the ruling party. This happened, for example, during public debates on constitutional reforms. 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2012