SECTOR 2

most of the population. In the capital, internet connection in cybercafés cost 250
CFA (approx. 0.60 U$) per hour on average.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator.

3

Country meets many aspects of indicator but
progress may be too recent to judge.

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has
been doing so over time.

Average score: 			

3.1

2.10 Government does not use its power over the
placement of advertisements as a means to interfere
with editorial content.
The government does not openly give orders to advertisers that are under the
authority of the State. “It is more subtle than that” says a panel member. In
actual fact, it seems that these advertisers practice “self-censorship” by refraining
from placing advertisements with media believed to be too critical of the ruling
party. As a consequence, a hefty part of the financial windfall is directed towards
media whose editorial line is more favourable to the government or ruling parties.
Inevitably, the national daily Fraternité Matin has the most significant share of the
advertisement market.
Therefore, in order to avoid any influence apart from political orientation or of
any other nature, certain partisan newspapers (Notre Voie, Le Patriote, Le Matin
d’Abidjan, Le Courrier, Le Temps, etc...) do not rely on advertisements but on
subsidies from political organisations and personalities whose cause they are
advancing.
Nonetheless, in the most common economic model advertisement is the main
source of income, representing about 70% of the turnover.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER IVORY COAST 2009

99

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