SECTOR 1 … any statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that the statement, rumour or report is false. Panelists disagreed on whether this provision allows room for interference with the media. Some argued that it exists more or less on paper only while others held that it should be taken seriously as a real threat. Indeed, this provision has been used in a few cases to arrest opposition party activists. Furthermore, state security agencies are alleged to be increasingly interfering directly with media over what can be published or not, supposedly in the interest of national security. The Public Order Act stipulates that demonstrations must be announced to the police five days before the event. Approval is given at the discretion of the police. 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: 3.4 (2008: 3.8; 2006: 4.2) 1.4 Government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and the media. Existing international and regional instruments on freedom of expression were largely unknown to panelists. This is an indication that these documents are not part of the political debate and that there is a need to popularise them. Two pieces of draft legislation presently on the table could be attempts to domesticate the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted 2002 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These are the Broadcasting Bill, which seeks to reform the broadcasting sector, and the Right to Information Bill, which could lead to easier access to information held by state authorities. 14 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011