AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ANGOLA
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Sector 1: Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, are
effectively protected and promoted.
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1.1.

Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is guaranteed in the
constitution and protected by other pieces of legislation.

ANALYSIS:
The Constitutional Law guarantees freedom of opinion and of the press in articles 35
and 32 as basic civil rights, while at the same time it is silent or incomplete on many of
these aspects. A Press Law regulates press freedom as being "characterised by
freedom of expression and of thought through the written press, radio and television".
Currently, the National Assembly is considering a draft Press Law that is expected to be
approved soon1. During a consultation phase, independent institutions for the protection
of journalists, such as the Trade Union of Angolan Journalists (SJA), the Union of
Angolan Journalists (UJA) and other civil society groups participated in the debate. The
draft law promises to contain a number of improvements in regard to better protection of
the press and greater openness. But it seems clear that certain aspects of media
freedom protection in the Constitutional Law and the Press Law require a number of
improvements to ensure the completeness of such protection.
SCORES:
Individual scores:

4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4

Average score:

3.5

1

This Draft Press Law was approved by the National Assembly on February 3, 2006.

1

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