SECTOR 1 requires that both private and public media allow competing candidates from all political groups to voice their opinions in a fair and transparent way. From the publication of the official list of candidates, lists of candidates or options, until the opening of the official electoral campaign, the National Authority for Media Communication (ANRCM) guarantees the right of access to all public and private radio and television broadcasting services for all candidates, lists of candidates or options and their supporters, while respecting the principle of the pluralist nature of the expression of political thoughts and opinions (…).7 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: Score of previous years: ✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ 1.3 2006: 2.4; 2008: 2.3; 2010: 2.5; 2012: 2.8; 2016: 2 1.3 There are no laws or parts of laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret, libel acts, legal requirements that restrict the entry into the journalistic profession or laws that unreasonably interfere with the functions of the media The amendment of article 20 of the Cybercrime Act8 removed prison sentences for press offences. The draft law also amended certain provisions of the Communication Code at the request of media professionals, but added some restrictions. For example, the fine limits have been increased and laws on image rights have been added. This new law stipulates that the subject of a photograph has the right to sue the photographer. Publishing satirical and parodic images can result in fines ranging from 3,000,000 ariary (US$815) to 6,000,000 ariary (US$1,630). The preliminary draft law amended certain provisions of the Communication Code and was adopted by the Council of Ministers.9 Although this law is not 7 8 9 https://www.ceni-madagascar.mg/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Loi-organique-n%C2%B0-2018-008-relative-aur%C3%A9gime-g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral-des-%C3%A9lections-et-des-r%C3%A9f%C3%A9rendums.pdf: article 110, 111, 112 and 113. (accessed on 4 November 2019) Article 20 Law on Cybercrime 2 October 2019 13 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2019