SECTOR 1 protecteded under freedom of the media and common law crimes in the way they are being applied. Depending on the interests at stake the provisions are being used for progressive or restrictive ends. As a result, freedom of expression and freedom of the media exist mainly on paper and in declarations of principle, but are not being fully respected and adhered to. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many media houses are politically aligned: their openly biased and subjective editorial lines do not really allow for genuine freedom of information for either their journalists or the general public. Moreover, the independence of a media outlet is questioned as soon as its comments start criticising a particular authority. This confusion between the freedom to make comments and blatant partiality often creates unstable situations. The political crisis, which caused confusion in the daily lives of Malagasy citizens, has also changed the media landscape and the practice of journalism. While cases where freedom of the press is not really protected have always existed, these have increased in number and intensity in the context of the crisis and an atmosphere of extremism is taking hold. Citizens themselves refrain from expressing their opinions regarding the political environment. 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: 4,0 (2006 = 3.0; 2008 = 3.5) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. The assessment of this indicator took the particular backdrop of the ongoing political crisis into account. In 2009, when the crisis was at its peak, self-censorship hit the Malagasy society. But as the unstable situation persists, tongues are AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2010 75