SECTOR 1 journalists and CSOs is regular, the latter do not automatically or systematically defend journalists. A slim few CSOs actively defend media freedom, such as Ilontsera.20 Early in 2016, in an effort to draw attention to the difficulties of access to information, Ilontsera conducted a survey which collected the opinions of 134 journalists from 17 public and private institutions in Antananarivo. The CSOs had already drawn attention to the difficulties of access to information. In 2019, at the time of the “Helicopter Case”, no CSOs stepped up to defend the journalists involved. This was also the case when the daily L’Express de Madagascar was at the heart of a social-media storm. On 5 October 2019, this paper’s frontpage headline read: "Travel abroad – restriction on travel abroad for women". The article was massively shared and public opinion condemned the facts reported. The headline and content caused an outcry from the administration. Even the President of the Republic reacted through his Facebook page to condemn the newspaper in what he called “disinformation”. L’Express de Madagascar argued that the report was carried out in accordance with the professional standards. In the heat of the moment, some journalists openly attacked their L’Express de Madagascar colleagues. A few weeks later, the Observatory of Public Life (SEFAFI)21 openly criticised journalism in a press release entitled “The culture of privilege, higher education and the media”.22 Despite this animosity, CSOs did support the media in the Freedom of Expression Movement (MLE) in 2016, which fought to amend the original Communication Code to guarantee the exercise of the profession of journalists throughout the republic. The panel stressed out that this mistrust among both sides stems from a loss of confidence and the absence of a real lobby group where journalists can stand together. Nevertheless, panellists believe the media should be defended, despite its imperfection. 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: ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1.7 2006: 1.8; 2008: 2; 2010: 2.4; 2012: 4.4; 2016: 2.3 20 http://www.ilontsera.mg/ (accessed on 8 November 2019) 21 SEFAFI is an association whose vocation is to identify and examine societal problems, and communicate the findings of its work in view of enhanced democracy and rule of law. 22 https://www.sefafi.mg/main/post/article/468 (accessed on 8 November 2019) 20 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2019