SECTOR 1 1.9 Websites and blogs are not required to register with, or obtain permission, from state authorities. Websites are unregulated by law and not subject to prior registration or authorisation by an official body. According to one panelist a legal provision in this regard is currently being considered. It should be noted that the definition of communication in the Press Code act includes “every publication or transmission of information by satellite, cable, data transmission network, telephone or any other new information and communication technology targeted at the public” (article 35). However, this does not imply that the sub-sector of online media, blogs and, more broadly, internet sites is subject to any regulation by law. 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: 4.4 1.10 The state does not seek to block or filter internet content unless laws provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society. In the opinion of a number of panelists there are still some old, anti-democratic practices and cases where the principles of freedom of information and the confidentiality of correspondence and telecommunications are being violated. This may involve either simple surveillance of the content of sites or, in the most severe cases, piracy of accounts in order to read or even filter e-mails. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER TOGO 2010 91