1.6 Public information is easily accessible, guaranteed by law, to all citizens, including journalists. ANALYSIS: The Access to Public Documents Act guarantees the right to public information. In practice, however, this right is openly violated, with the staff of public/state institutions and of some private institutions refusing to make available to the public and to journalists basic documents of public interest considered to be crucial for public information. The difficulty with the implementation of this law lies in the fact that there is a lack of knowledge not only on the side of journalists, but also at the public/state institutions themselves, which do not put in place structures capable of effecting proper disclosure procedures. There are institutions that do not account to anyone nor do they publicly present results of their government activities as required by the law. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1.7 1, 3, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 1.8 Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the cause of media freedom. ANALYSIS: An increasing number of civil society groups are getting involved in the promotion of press freedom, for example by issuing solidarity declarations or organising events that call for more freedom of the press in the country. Radio Ecclesia, e.g., has enjoyed much solidarity in actions to pressure the government to allow the expansion of its services to the rest of the country. A number of activities involve journalists and members of NGOs in events that promote press freedom. There are plans to create a network to integrate journalists and civil society in order to work for the promotion of press freedom. Opportunities for study outside the country organised by embassies in Angola and by international organisations are another measure to promote press freedom and freedom of speech. This has contributed to enhancing the performance of journalists, but above all it leads to a greater awareness of their rights and therefore to a stronger fight in defence of the profession. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2, 4, 3, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2 2.8 Overall score for sector 1: So This Is Democracy? 2005 2.4 -176- Media Institute of Southern Africa