Mali and breach of media Act has been bypassed by certain judges to reprimand journalists through criminal law sanctions. Formally, there are no restrictions but in practice there are many stumbling blocks. Areas for freedom of expression are narrowing. Demonstrations that do not go down well with government authorities are systematically refused or repressed, often by over-zealous civil servants. Journalists and citizens are increasingly threatened for what they say. Their fear, not of being imprisoned, but of retaliatory measures is hence justified. Such is the case for some printers who hesitate to print certain newspapers for fear that they lose government contracts. In addition to these barriers, there are also socio-cultural considerations that do not often allow for opinions to be expressed freely. Individual scores: 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3. Average score: 1.3 2.3 (2006=2.7) There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of media. Act 98-012 of 19 January 1998 governing relations between the administration and public service users enforced in 2003 limits the categories of accessible information. Non-normative administrative records such as files, reports, studies, statistical data, directives, circulars that include an interpretation of positive law are freely accessible. Whereas documents that may prejudice the confidentiality of government deliberations, national security matters, etc cannot be disclosed, there is also Act 00-46/ AN-RM of 7 July 2000 on media and breach of media regulations that determines the limit of this freedom in Mali. Beyond these laws, information is actually accessed based on who is sitting across the table. Le Baromètre des Média Africains - Mali 2008 5