Individual scores: 2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 4, 5, 3, 2 Average score: 3.4 2.3 Efforts are undertaken to increase the scope of circulation of the print media, particularly in rural communities. ANALYSIS: Efforts have been undertaken individually by some media houses in order to extend their range of distribution, but they still have difficulties reaching the rural areas which are often landlocked and badly serviced by transport and communication infrastructure. In addition, most newspapers are not accessible to the rural population on account of the language in which they are published. This is mainly French, being the language in which most major news stories are written, even in bilingual papers (French and Malagasy). French is the second official language after Malagasy. The high illiteracy rate and the weak purchasing power of the rural population are serious handicaps to the circulation of newspapers outside the large cities. Only publications of the Catholic church such as Lakroa et Iska Mianakavy have been able to penetrate the country extensively with the assistance of parishes in the different dioceses which constitute a huge distribution network. In order to overcome the problem of the unavailability of newspapers, local radios - if they can – offer press revues on their programmes, even with some delay. The boom of Internet cafés in the old prefectures and the larger cities is also helping to remedy this deficiency. Should no paper version be available, one can always read the news on the Internet since most titles have an on-line edition free of charge at the moment. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 3, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3, 2 Average score: 1.9 2.4 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. ANALYSIS: There have been three different administrations since the adoption of Framework Law no. 92-039 on audio-visual communication in September 1992, but none of them has put the necessary laws in place. The unregulated context in which broadcasting stations operate and develop has created an unbalanced situation and is breaching the principle of equal treatment before the law. Some broadcast under the label of “an endless trial”. Community 31