SECTOR 1 However, it was also observed that this so-called culture of fear may indeed be the result of a somewhat distorted perception, seeing that there are a number citizens and journalists who openly express views in conflict with those of the ruling party and who do not face any consequences or reprisals. The culture of fear is more prevalent at the provincial level, whereas « It is a consequence of our in Luanda, the capital, one is able to encounter past, and if the culture of a spirit of solidarity among journalists, the civil society and clerical organisations. The arrest and fear does not come to an subsequent trial of General Fernando Garcia Miala end we are in trouble. » was pointed out to have contributed to a general increase in fear, based on the logical assumption that the common citizen probably enjoys even less protection from prosecution than such an important and powerful individual of the military and security forces. Despite the abovementioned constraints there is a certain openness in how journalists of the public and private media covering political, economic, social and cultural subjects communicate with each other. Informal communication also seems to have a greater impact on the social life of Angolans than conventional public media. It was pointed out, for example, that the perception among members of the public that there is widespread censorship in the public media (e.g. public radio) compels citizens to resort to private media as an alternative. There is also the conviction among panel members that senior media professionals contribute to instilling and perpetuating fear; often unjustified. Holding certain independent views can be detrimental to one’s prospects for employment, because there seems to be what one panellist called a syndicate of a “synchronised voice” among media owners. Another panel member said: “There is a climate of excessive fear among citizens, and it would be wrong to conclude that this fear is being promoted by the government. It is a consequence of our past, and if the culture of fear does not come to an end we are in trouble.” 80 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ANGOLA 2010