SECTOR 1 1.7 Confidential sources of information protected by law and/or the courts. are In principle, there is no law requiring journalists to reveal their sources. Ordinance 92-039 in its Article 87, Section II on the obligations of professional agents states that “the professional agent is subject to the obligation of professional secrecy. He is compelled to honour the trust of any person who provides him with information of a confidential nature”. The article underscores the obligation of journalists towards their informants. In practice, this central tenet of professional ethics usually prevails. However, certain provisions relating to security and public order, national defence or the interest of the State may be interpreted in such an open-ended and far-reaching manner as to impel journalists to reveal their confidential sources. 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: 3.2 (2006 = 1.5; 2008 = 3.4) 1.8 Public information is easily guaranteed by law, to all citizens. accessible, Loans or grants received from international financial institutions like the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund were cited as examples of public information which should be accessible to the general public. Such information will usually be available on the official websites of these institutions. Citizens are thus able to access it, but there is no law that would guarantee their right to have such access. Gaining access to information held by the authorities, on the other hand, is difficult, often impossible. The obligation to observe confidentiality which is established by circulars within government departments (see indicator 1.3) and AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2010 81