SECTOR 1 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 2.2 (2007=2.0) 1.3 There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of media. Aside from the Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and stipulates that the State is the guarantor of this freedom, other media and broadcasting laws limit and restrict freedom of expression and make provisions for sanctions. Violations such as offence against Heads of State, threat to peace and public order are as many openings for abuse and arbitrariness that encroach upon the responsibility of the media. Though there have been no new restrictive dispositions since 2007, existing constraints have not been lifted either. Despite the official recognition of the citizen’s right to information, there are no legal provisions regulating the definition of information sources and their access by the media. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 1.5 (2007=1.4) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BENIN 2009 75