SECTOR 1 1.4 The Government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Given the treaties and charters the government has ratified, the Malagasy government strives towards honouring the regional and international instruments. In practice, however, one cannot really identify efforts undertaken. There are challenges with regards to the implementation of these treaties and charters, specifically regarding the question of protection of sources, on the one hand, and the closure of some radio stations in Antananarivo, Manakara and Mahajanga, on the other hand. “Radio MBS, owned by the former President was ransacked in 2009 and equipment was taken to another radio station,” according to a panellist. The Charter on Democracy and Good Governance of 2007 is little known on the island. 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: 2.0 (2006= n/a, 2008 = n/a, 2010 = 2.4) 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. Censorship was abolished in 1989 in Madagascar and since that time no preliminary authorisation is required for the publication of newspapers. In order to launch a publication, however, a preliminary notification of nonobjection issued by the Association of journalists (OJM) is needed. Only then will the procedure begin by informing the prosecutor in a letter indicating the name of the director of the publication, the editor in chief and the printer. 72 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR