SECTOR 4 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: 2.6 (2006= 2.3, 2008 = 2.9, 2010 = 1.8) 4.2 The standard of reporting follows the basic principles of accuracy and fairness. There are instances in which information is handled in a manner that subscribes to the unwritten rule: “who pays, decides.” Overall, the way in which information is handled does not adhere to the basic principle of accuracy. This is due to partisan ownership of the stations and media bodies, and consequently information that tends to always be tainted by bias. Some newspapers, on the other hand, in their quest for readers do not shy away from publishing information with “who pays, false headlines or exaggerating facts. This was the case for the decides.” famous zebu thieves (dahalo), which had attacked policemen. The image of the leader, allegedly Remenabila, made front page news, although it had not been established that the man on the photograph was indeed the real suspect (the photograph had been sent by national police to all media houses). The media had to subsequently run corrections, which is not a common thing given that certain journalists refuse to grant the right of reply, even if they are in the wrong. Furthermore, the separation required by article 61 of the Law N°90-031 of 21 December 1990 between facts and commentaries is not always clear. Said article indeed stipulates that: “the freedom of a journalist to comment should not compromise on the accuracy of facts reported. A journalist’s personal opinions are to be presented in a differentiated manner, without ambiguity and confusion.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 105