1.11 Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the cause of media freedom. Citizens in Mali are involved in advancing the cause of media freedom and media pressure groups are active. Nevertheless, prejudices contribute to the reversal of such efforts, as relationships between the media and civil society organisations are sometimes very tense. All associations have felt some interference from the State. A participant lamented: “The huge mobilisation of other colleagues every time that a journalist is dragged before the court, victim of an aggression or any suchlike act, is dimming.” «...when a journalist has a problem, only his/her friends and editor will mobilise. » Another commented: “...when a journalist has a problem, only his/her friends and editor will mobilise.” Said another participant: “Civil society, on its part, does react but generally late … because it first wonders to which side the victim belongs.” Depending on their area of specialisation, civil society organisations are sometimes mobilised in favour of the media. For example, the associations and nonGovernmental organisations working for the defence of human rights, actively defend the cause of media freedom, while others are not concerned, either because it is not their direct area of activity or they do not see its direct impact. The most well-known media trade union is the National Union of Press and Print Industry (SNPIL). However, because it does not include the majority of players in the media industry, it is considered unrepresentative. It is affiliated to the National Workers Union of Mali (UNTM) and its operation is confidential. There are various federal associations of journalists and media operators within the country, namely the Association of Editors of the Private Press of Mali (ASSEP), the Association of Journalists of Mali (AJM), the Association of Journalists for the Promotion of Professional Expertise (AJPP), the National Union of Journalists of Mali (UNAJOM) and the Union of Free Radio and Television Broadcasting (URTEL). At times, however, internal conflicts paralyse these organisations. 90 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALI 2010