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: 3.8 1.6 Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is not restricted by law. There are, strictly speaking no restrictions on who can practice the profession in the sense of the ordinance of Law no. 81/012 of 2 April 1981, concerning journalists working in the DRC, which under Articles 2 and following, provides a definition of journalists’ duties and the recruitment modes. According to the conditions laid out in article 2, the 1981 text states: “A professional journalist is a person researching, gathering, utilising and presenting information for one or more media bodies as their main, regular and remunerated occupation. There are two kinds of journalists: a journalist linked to an editorial office and freelancers.” “Put on par with professional journalists shall be cartoonists, translators-editors, photo-journalists, sound and camera operators, working for, on behalf of one or more press bodies.” Some professionals but also media consumers regret the anarchy that has settled into the profession because in practise the conditions of recruitment are too flexible and are in violation of article 7 of the same ministerial order, the 1981 Law, which defines the conditions of recruitment and journalistic internships. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Democratic Republic of Congo 79