Chad requirements of specifications of radios, particularly the licence fee (500 000 Fcfa per annum) make it difficult to operate radio stations and some decisions by the High Media Council (HMC) like the ban on «producing and broadcasting all political programs or programmes of a political nature» during the last referendum campaign, restricted considerably the exercise of the freedom of expression at this crucial moment of the political life in the country. Though enshrined by the constitution, the exercise of the freedom of expression is challenged by the dimension of the repressive measures under the provisions of law 29. Accusations of disrupting public order and violating the press law are most frequent. So, in February 2003, the director of the newspaper “Notre Temps” and his Editor in Chief were condemned to 6 months imprisonment and 100 000 Fcfa in damages, 6 months of suspension of the newspaper and a 10 month ban during which he was barred from exercising his professional duties. On application, the two will be released on bail (after 56 days of imprisonment) with a suspended sentence and two millions of damage for defamation. In October 2004, the interim Editor of the newspaper “Le temps” was arrested and accused by the Permanent Secretary in the State Presidency for an article published in the newspaper nr. 403 in which a passage was considered to be defamatory towards the State President. Following a report on a Chadian rebellion, he was convicted to 6 months imprisonment for defamation, publication of wrong information and incitement to tribal hatred in August 2005. A month before, the Editor in Chief and one colleague in the newspaper “L’observateur” were condemned to 3 moths and 3 years imprisonment respectively for defamation and incitement to tribal hatred. The African Media Barometer (AMB) - Chad 2007 45