a) b) c) d) a felony has been or will probably be committed; the gathering of information concerning an actual threat to national security or any national economic interest is necessary; the gathering of information concerning a potential threat to public safety, national security, or any national interest is necessary; or there is a threat to the national interest involving the state’s international relations or obligations. If passed into law these provisions could make it impossible for journalists to protect confidential sources. Moreover the official seeking to intercept communication does not need to get a court order – a procedure that would provide for judicial review – before interception. The panel discussed at length the balance between the weight to be given to the formal “guarantee” of freedom of expression in the constitution and the “support” (or lack of it) by other laws with some members giving more emphasis to the former and others to the latter. 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: 2.9 (2007: 3.3) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Analysis: The 2007 report listed a number of instances where, for example, the police, exercising their powers under the Police Statute 1994, stopped press conferences and forcibly dispersed rallies convened by various opposition political leaders. In April 2007, the President met media owners and editors at State House and 14 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2010