SECTOR 4 Follow-up questions 1.What positive changes have there been in the media over recent years? • • • • • • • • • • Revision of the law on the HAAC Less political pressures More controversial and argumentative debates Implementation of state aid to the media Changing of two weekly papers into private dailies More women in the media sector (two publications now have women at the helm) A woman now heads a state media body (the Togolese Press Agency) Admission of journalists from private media to the delegation of the President of Republic The HAAC now includes private media in the coverage of electoral campaigns National television now allows for collaboration with journalists from private media 2. What negatives changes? • • • • • More interference in the work of the media in general Corruption in the media has increased Suspension of radio programmes by the HAAC Political polarisation in the media has intensified More and more restrictions on the access of public/state media to opposition parties 3. Reasons for positives changes • • • • • Political will to open up Pressure from external partners Determined actions of media practitioners Sense of entrepreneurship Awareness of gender issues 4. Main obstacles • • • Precarious situation of media organisations Insufficient training Absence of regulations on the application of international instruments (Florida convention on tax exemptions for entrants into the field) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TOGO 2010 135