Mali Monitoring the establishment of a strategy for the next two years 1. Have there been changes in the media environment over the last two years? Yes there have been changes, in particular: • The toughening of relations between the media and the government; • The setting up of regional stations by ORTM particularly TV-FM; • The construction of the new building to accommodate the Maison de la Presse; • The establishment of a training institute; • The interference of security forces in libel cases; • The introduction of open forums at ORTM; • Lower standards and weaker editorial contents in the media: lack of professionalism; • Sluggishness of regulatory organs; • The concern of journalists over their status and working conditions. 2. If positive changes: who or what has been the main cause? The setting up of regional stations by ORTM and TV-FM; • Main causes: feedback from listeners, programme hosts, the board of governors. • The construction of the new Maison de la Presse building. Main causes: personal commitment of the President of the Republic and request of journalists. • The establishment of the training institute. Main causes: the Ministry of Communications on behalf of the government and the request of journalists. • The introduction of open forums at ORTM. Main causes: demand of viewers and listeners, the ORTM management, politicians and the civil society. • The concern of journalists over their status and working conditions. Le Baromètre des Média Africains - Mali 2008 27