SECTOR 2 Internet via mobile phones, who were estimated by the Nigerian Communications Commission to number more than 95 million during the same period. Increasing access to the internet is helping online publications to flourish. They have become an alternative source of information for the vast majority of urban dwellers. 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: 3.6 (2008: 3.4; 2011: 2.8) 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. Numerous international news outlets are available to Nigerians without restriction. Satellite, cable and FM transmissions beam broadcast signals from all over the world to almost every corner of the country. Foreign magazines and newspapers are also widely available and restricted only by cost. Increasingly, national channels and radio stations air foreign content through partnerships with outlets like the Voice of America. A few radio stations in Lagos have arrangements that allow foreign correspondents to file stories on their behalf. The only restriction to broadcasting international content concerns live news broadcasts, for which the National Broadcasting Commission insists that a special permission must be obtained through licensing. This requirement is not strictly respected or enforced. In principle, the distribution of foreign content within the country is the prerogative of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). However, with technological advances and lax enforcement, news organisations are routinely bypassing NAN to procure content directly from wire services like Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France Presse. 28 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2015