SECTOR 1

1.3
There are no laws or parts of laws restricting
freedom of expression such as excessive official
secrets or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably
interfere with the responsibilities of media.
There are no legal provisions to this effect. Instead there is a rather abusive
interpretation of the notion of state secrets. Mention was made, for example, of a
minister known for his habit of marking just about any document confidential to
prevent the media from talking about it.
There are no known cases where journalists were forced to reveal their sources of
information. Panelists felt, however, that the provision which allows the Attorney
General to do so excessively penalises journalists for publishing state secrets while
leaving unscathed those who, directly or indirectly, allow information to be leaked
to the media.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:			

3.5 (2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a)

1.4
Government makes every effort to honour
regional and international instruments on freedom of
expression and the media.
Article 25 of the constitution refers to the duty of the state “to ensure that the
Constitution is available to, and understood by all; ... the same holds true for all
other duly ratified international instruments relative to human rights”. This is to
be done in local languages and through all mass media. Unfortunately, though,
in reality these international instruments are not made available to citizens or
publicised in any way, and nobody knows what steps are being taken to implement
them.
That is why there is no way of saying whether any effort is being made to honour
such instruments, apart from the proclamations contained in the constitution

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GUINEA 2011

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