SECTOR 2 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities In Mozambique, there are no political restrictions regarding access to national and foreign media by citizens. 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: ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ 4.6 2005=4.3; 2007=5.0; 2009=5.0; 2011=4.9; 2014=4.9 2.3 The editorial independence of the print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference In Mozambique, an editorial society exists which – although registered in the light of the rules of private law – is materially public with the state as its largest shareholder; first through the Bank of Mozambique (which since 2017 is in the process of leaving) and now through the State’s Shareholdings Management Institute (IGEPE – Instituto de Gestão de Participações do Estado). This society owns three newspapers, namely the daily Notícias, the generalist weekly Domingo and the sports weekly Desafio. Panellists agreed that the editorial independence of the three aforesaid newspapers is not ensured. The managers themselves abusively interfere in the work of their journalists. One of the core questions is the way in which information is treated. There are strong indications that the said interference is not institutional, but subtle, perpetrated by individuals who, autonomously and abusively use the connections they have with the ruling party, Frelimo. According to the panellists, evidence of this is the summoning of their managers or executive editors to party meetings, while the director-general of GABINFO is herself a member of the party’s Central Committee, the most important party organ between two Congresses. In a nutshell, the panel concluded that there are no protection guarantees for the managers or executive editors of the aforementioned public newspapers. Mandate security is non-existent for them. For example, an editorial director of Notícias newspaper was exonerated, apparently for having accepted an invitation 24 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MOZAMBIQUE 2018