SECTOR 4 Some media organisations have adopted a system of employee loans, which often lands the beneficiary in a financially even more precarious situation than before, resulting in perpetual debt. 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: 1.4 (2012 = 2.3, 2010 = 2.2, 2008 = n/a, 2006 = n/a) 4.4 Journalists and other media practitioners are organised in trade unions and/or professional associations, which effectively represent their interests. Plenty of professional associations exist, often divided up between section and discipline (for instance the association of sports journalists). However, numerous associations are project-funded and of short duration, ending once the project is complete. The Order of Journalists of Madagascar, as well as journalists’ trade unions is also supposed to defend journalists’ interests. The impact of their actions is however limited. Journalist trade unions do have a tendency to denounce aggression directed against journalists, but are very little engaged in defending their rights in general in the exercise of their profession. Finally, certain employers remain hesitant towards unionised employees. 100 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2016