Mali Individual scores: 5, 4, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4. Average score: 4.4 (2006=4.7) 1.4 Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted. Analysis Based on article 4 of Act 00-46/AN-RM, “A journalist is an individual who holds a degree in journalism or a higher education diploma with one year professional experience, and whose main remunerative activity is to gather, analyse and disseminate information and news, within the framework of a public or private media body, print or audiovisual”. The intent of this law is not to restrict the exercise of the trade, but to further professionalise the trade. Decree 892-191/P-RM setting up a commission on press cards complements the law as regards the issuance and withdrawal of the card which is a means of identifying journalists in Mali. Individual scores: 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5. Average score: 4.7 (2006=4.4) 1.5 Protection of confidential sources of information is guaranteed by law. Analysis There is no law to protect sources. However, in practice, journalists are not compelled to reveal their sources; certain judges have often demanded these without success. According to article 15 of the code of ethics of journalists in Mali, the journalist exercises professional secrecy and does not reveal the source of information obtained in confidentiality. However the media Act requires that the editor obtain, in writing, the true identify of authors who submit articles that are not signed or who use 6 Le Baromètre des Média Africains - Mali 2008