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: 2.5 3.10 The state/public broadcaster offers balanced and fair information in news and current affairs, reflecting the full spectrum of diverse views and opinions. Some members of the panel expressed the view that efforts are being made in this regard. Information is becoming more balanced, except when it comes to political coverage. “In the political arena, there is still a lot of tip-toeing”, said one. In fact, the state broadcaster uses a wealth of ingenious methods to avoid certain political issues. According to one panelist, Radio Lomé imposed a complete “blackout” on a statement that a number of consumer organisations had paid for to announce a demonstration against high prices in 2008. Not only was the communiqué never broadcast, but the amount charged was never refunded. Another panelist referred to the technique of silently passing over some images on screen while the presenter of a news or current affairs show will only make summary mention of certain topics. At times radio or TV even edit statements in such a way as to make a person say the opposite of what was actually said in the interview. To guard against such practices, some people refuse to grant interviews to the state broadcast media, except when they are aired live. 118 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TOGO 2010