SECTOR 1 Some laws that infringe on freedom of expression have been invalidated by the courts but are often still invoked by the government and public officials. For example, a panellist cited a case whereby the law on Sedition, which the Appeal Court invalidated in 1985 has been repeatedly invoked when the government finds itself under attack. He pointed out that in 2006, it was used in a suit against AIT (African Independent Television), privately owned television station, following the broadcast of a programme about the purchase of a presidential plane that turned out to be defective. Authorities said that the discussion was capable of bringing the government into disrepute. Acts establishing public broadcasting and the regulation of the broadcasting sector give several powers to the Minister of Information, who can use them to control programme content, particularly of state-owned broadcasters. 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 (2008 = 1.5) 1.4 Government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and the media. Nigeria has only made minimal effort in respecting regional and international protocols and conventions on freedom of expression and of the media. The little that has been done, is the result of advocacy and pressure from the civil society. According to some panellists, the government appears to feel threatened by instruments that seek to strengthen freedom of expression and the media. In many respects, the government has tightened its grip on the media, particularly stateowned radio and TV stations, and is resistant to recommendations to transform them into truly public service broadcasters. Advocacy for the promotion of community radio has been ongoing for nine years, but as of June 2011, not a single community radio station had been licensed in Nigeria, except for the campus radio stations, which operate at some universities. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011 11