SECTOR 2 The media landscape, including new media, is characterised by diversity, independence and sustainability 2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, internet) is accessible and affordable to citizens. The Ivorian media landscape offers a wide variety of information sources to the public. About a hundred radio stations including the national radio, rural radios, private commercial radios, private not-for-profit radios and some international radios provide coverage on frequency modulation (FM) practically throughout the country. About twenty daily newspapers and sixty periodicals are regularly available in newsstands. Regarding conventional television, Ivorian viewers have only two choices both offered by the Ivorian radio and television network, namely RTI1 and TV2 (the latter covers only the region of Abidjan and its immediate surroundings). Foreign channels are also accessible via satellite and MMDS reception at a high cost (Canal+Horizons) or free access (Africable). The liberalization of the television sub-sector has been announced by the authorities. A study commissioned by the Ministry of Communication was conducted by the French consulting firm Media Consulting Group and the results officially submitted to Mr. Ibrahima SY SAVANE, current Minister of Communication on 8 July 2008. The experts have recommended to the Ivorian government “a gradual liberalization, with the creation of two free private channels which will provide coverage in Abidjan and its immediate surroundings as a first step before extending much later to nationwide coverage”. In addition, most of the print and broadcasting media is available on the internet. Besides, Web TVs and Web radios are budding. One million Ivorians connect to the internet on a daily basis, representing a penetration level of 5%. The cost of a broadband connection in the city is 20,000 CFA francs (30 Euros). Despite the plurality of the media and the diversity of editorial content, certain territorial pockets remain on the outskirts of information flow. These are mainly rural areas that are poorly covered by newspaper distribution companies or do not receive newspapers until the following or even several days after their publication. 90 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER IVORY COAST 2009