SECTOR 1 adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and for related matters.” Section 4 of the Act obliges public authorities to make information available to an applicant within seven days, with the possibility of a further seven-day extension. Public authorities or institutions face a fine of up to N500, 000 (US$3,156.80) if guilty of “wrongful denial” of information, under Section 7 (5) of the FIA. Given its recent passing, the law is still to be tested. However, journalists and citizens have already noted some defects in its formulation. For example, an authority can refuse to release certain information or parts of it and in some cases, the applicant for information is required to convince the court that he/ she needs that information. Panellists pointed out that with the practice whereby most government documents, records and correspondences are often stamped “confidential” or “secret”, some holders of public information can also hide behind the Official Secrets Act to deny information to the public. 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: 2.9 (2008 = 1.6) 1.9 Websites and blogs are not required to register with or obtain permission from state authorities. The blogosphere is thriving in Nigeria. There are no known laws requiring any form of authorisation or permission to set up websites or publish on the internet. In the absence of apparent restrictions, panellists affirmed that individuals and institutions simply build their websites, find a host of their choice and start publishing. According to panellists, the public would frown at any attempt by the government to impose restrictions on the use of the internet because “Nigerians feel that it is one of the domains where they enjoy near–total freedom”. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011 15