SECTOR 2 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: 5.0 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. Access to domestic and international media sources was often sporadic due to the regulator especially at times of heightened tension during the political and military crisis. The most sensational case was Radio France International (RFI) suspended on several occasions by the National Broadcasting Board (CNCA). In 2004, the radio was suspended for 24 hours (between 15 and 16 May) subsequent to its handling of the UN report on the events of 25 March 2004. The CNCA again suspended the French international radio station broadcasting on FM in Ivory Coast on 13 July 2005 “for the non professional reporting of information and for broadcasting false information”. The National Broadcasting Board lifted the ban on RFI on 13 May following several meetings between the two parties. An amicable settlement was reached in which RFI made commitments regarding the collecting and reporting of information on Ivory Coast. However, on 31 January 2008, the international radio was again suspended “for failure to comply with its written and oral commitments, particularly regarding the setting up of a permanent correspondent in Abidjan”. This ban was lifted by the CNCA upon arrival of the RFI permanent correspondent Mr. Norbert Navarro on 6 May 2008. On 5 January 2007, the CNCA ordered the suspension of Africa N° 1 broadcasting on FM throughout Ivory Coast “for arrears in licence fees amounting to 22,500,000 (twenty two million five hundred thousand) CFA francs for the 2003, 2004 and 2006 fiscal years”. Under an agreement signed with the government of Gabon in June 2007, these arrears were settled. The CNCA consequently authorized the radio to resume its programmes on 20 August 2007. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER IVORY COAST 2009 91