CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE _____________________________________________________________________ 207. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion resulting from the secularism of the state are an undeniable reality. Thanks to the secularism of the government, the major religions (Islam, a wide variety of Christian churches, and animist cults) coexist in a friendly and peaceful atmosphere, something that should be emphasised and magnified now that rivalries of a religious and other nature sometimes threaten peace in African countries. 208. Regarding the freedom of the press, the CRM observed that it is real and effective. However, total freedom and the flourishing of press organs (i.e. those catering for written and audiovisual media) have led to many abuses. These abuses were noted during the forums organised by the CRM with journalists from Burkina Faso. Among the tendencies particularly emphasised were the spreading of rumours, cases of defamation, the use of the press to target politicians, corruption, and so on. The forums attributed such tendencies to a lack of professionalism on the part of many journalists, to a failure to comply with ethical rules and abide by the ethics of the profession, to low wages and to the poor regulation of the profession. 209. These abuses represent a real threat to the credibility and future of the media. The efforts of the CSC, which, according to its leaders, “emphasises the pedagogical approach rather than sanctions”, have yet to bear fruit. The CSC was finally forced to adopt the latter approach in its decision No. 2008-0081 CSC of 1 March 2008 suspending, until further notice, the transmitting by Horizon FM Radio, of the 2:00 pm news in the Mossi national language on the grounds of abusive, hateful and inaccurate comments regarding the demonstration on 29 February 2008 (Source: ‘Sidwaya’, No. 6131 of 12 March 2008, page 12). This branch of the profession thus requires urgent organisation and more effective regulation. 210. The CRM welcomes the efforts made by the state, which granted an annual subsidy amounting to CFAF 250 million to the press and provided journalists with a media house. It further noted with satisfaction the willingness of journalists to take charge of their own problems as part of a national professional association and a trade union. However, these efforts need to be strengthened and completed, namely by way of the adoption of a collective convention capable of bringing good order to the profession, the introduction of a press card (which, as yet, is nonexistent) and the decriminalisation of press offences. 211. Economic, social and cultural rights have also been raised to the level of constitutional norms and have been embedded in the body of the constitution: the right to education, social security and housing in Article 18; the right to work in Articles 19 and 20; the right to health in Article 26; and the right to a healthy environment in Article 29. The peculiarity of the latter right is that it is also a duty falling on everyone. 212. Enjoyment of the right to education has increased partly as a result of the implementation of the PRSF and the PDDEB (2001-2010). The school enrolment rate in respect of basic education has risen from 42% in 2001 to 112