SECTOR 1 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: 4.9 (2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a) 1.6 Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted. Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is restricted in Mali. However, some panellists defended these legal provisions as positive measures intended to clean up the profession. They claim to have supported this position during the drafting of the law when professionals were asked to make submissions. The main criterion to work in the journalistic profession is professional training. According to Article 4 of law N°00-46/AN-RM of July 7, 2000, which governs media management: “A journalist is a person, holder of a diploma in journalism or a diploma from institutes of higher learning with one year professional experience, whose main activity is the collection, processing and dissemination of information and news, for monetary gains as part of a public or private media house, print or broadcast.” Some panellists claim that the spirit of this law is not intended to restrict the practice of the profession, but translates as the readiness of journalists to purify the sector. They positively appreciate this provision that others consider as a constraint or a limit. According to a panellist it is based on the eagerness to promote both norms and standards in the profession and to improve the quality of the media. Another measure against the porosity of journalistic profession borders is found in decree N°892-191/P-RM of October 5, 1992, which establishes a media card committee. This committee is responsible for issuing and suspending media cards, which identify journalists in Mali. It was noted that there are so-called journalists in the country who do not meet the provision in Article 4, and others who have cards issued by their employers. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALI 2010 85