In law, it is legal to report accurate news even if it damages the reputation of a public figure.

In law, it is legal to report accurate news even if it damages the reputation of a public figure.
A YES score is earned where all the following conditions are met:
1) it is legal to report accurate information on public figures regardless of damage to their reputations,
2) journalists can only be convicted if malice is proved (a story was published even though the journalist knew it was false or didn't try to verify it).

Note: Public figures include anyone in a position of responsibility in the government or civil service; political leaders; and leaders of civil society organizations, religious groups, trade unions, or large businesses.

A NO score is earned where no such law exists, or a law exists but it doesn't include all the conditions described in YES. A NO score is also earned where the law establishes the presumption of bad faith for all comments deemed defamatory and/or the burden of proof falls to journalists.

For variable descriptions, please refer to: https://www.africaintegrityindicators.org/data.
For the methodology, please refer to: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e971d408be44753edfb976c/t/60a55f343d36117866628867/1621450563745/AII10+-+Methodology.docx+%281%29.pdf.