see their work as an end in itself, not as a means to perform a public duty.
There are improvements, however, even though a lot still has to be done so that
information in the custody of public institutions is made public. In a number of
cases it is not because public servants do not want to provide information; often
they also do not master the issues that are under their responsibility. The
Constitution and other laws guarantee citizen’s access to public information. But
the biggest problem is the culture of secrecy that pervades in most civil
servants. Sometimes it has to be Cabinet Ministers themselves giving orders to
their staff in order to give information to journalists. Often, the websites of many
public institutions only have information that is of very little relevance.
SCORES:
Individual scores:

1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4

Average score:

2.3

1.7

Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the
cause of media freedom.

ANALYSIS:
Civil society organizations have been doing something to that end. But it is not
enough yet. Generally, journalists do not participate in the activities of the very
same organizations that are there to defend their own interests. But this also
has to do with the benefits that these organizations offer their membership. If
journalists feel that they can derive benefits from such associations, naturally
they will get more actively involved. For example, in 2006, the Cape Verde
Association of Journalists managed to recruit more members because it had
managed to make sure that they would have access to the International
Professional License. But generally, civil society organizations do participate in
activities aimed at promoting and defending Press Freedom.
SCORES:
Individual scores:

2, 3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 4

Average score:

3.1

OVERALL SCORE FOR SECTOR 1:

3.8

Sector 2:
The media landscape
independence and sustainability.

28

is

characterized

by

diversity,

Select target paragraph3