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: 4.0 (2006: 2.1; 2008: 2.0) 1.4 Government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and the media. Madagascar is signatory to several regional and international conventions and charters that promote democracy and fundamental freedoms including freedom of expression and of the media, notably the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. There are considerable doubts, however, about government’s compliance – or intention to comply - with the provisions of these international instruments. Panel members noted that the state has on occasion denied its de facto involvement in the drawing up of such documents. The signing of these international and regional agreements might thus be motivated more by the need to ensure the goodwill of donors rather than by the intention to strengthen the rights of citizens. The authorities in power are probably aware of the importance and scope of these international commitments, but the actual application of these instruments largely depends on interpretation of the issues and the mood of the day. 78 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2010