SECTOR 1 claim that when conducting street-interviews up to 9 out of 10 interviewees refuse to speak. Marches and meetings of opposition parties and trade unions are often scattered or simply banned. Indeed, “the free expression of opinion is reserved for the brave” as summarised by a panellist. Despite the abovementioned, those who support the regime are generally freer to express themselves through their speeches or public events. Very often, «the authorities are not worried when it comes to say or sing that everything is going well in Gabon» estimated a panellist. 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: 1.8 1.3 There are no laws or parts of laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret, libel acts, legal requirements that restrict the entry into the journalistic profession or laws that unreasonably interfere with the functions of media. The opinion shared by the majority of the panellists is that everything is considered as a State secret in Gabon even though there are no specific State secrecy laws. All information pertaining to certain sectors, such as defence, the mining sector, forestry and public procurement is regarded as sensitive by the public authorities. For example, a journalist found himself behind bars after having circulated information that a Treasurer General granted a contract for the acquisition of an armoured van without going through the Procurement Commission. Moreover, the authorities often use the elusive concept of the preservation of public order to prevent the communication of information about these so-called sensitive sectors. Indeed, the Constitution stipulates that a citizen may lose his rights if his action disturbs public order. 68 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GABON 2016