SECTOR 3 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: 2.4 (2010 = 2.1; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a) 3.7 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference through its budget and from all commercial pressure. TBC and ZBC are funded by government, through taxpayers’ contributions, but panellists agreed that this funding was insufficient and was the reason for the poor quality of programming. The broadcasters lacked computer and camera equipment, and routinely experienced technical problems. Concern was noted that even though TBC and ZBC are funded by the state, they also compete with the private media for advertising, which some panellists felt was unfair. It was pointed out that the money these state broadcasters earn from advertising goes directly to the Treasury. In mid-2010 and in gearing up for the switch-over from analogue to digital TV, TBC formed a new company, Star Media Tanzania, with a Chinese company, Star Communication Network Technologies. Star Media Tanzania, owned by TBC (35 per cent) and 65 per cent by Star Communication Network Technologies, is intended to be a digital TV service provider. Due to new regulations, carriers of digital transmission may not be providers of content as well. As a result, the Star Media relationship is uncertain and there is talk of TBC forming a new company so it can deal with digital TV content as well. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TANZANIA 2012 43