Status: Free
Legal Environment: 5
Political Influences: 8
Economic Pressures: 14
Total Score: 27

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 62
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (52 percent), Protestant (40 percent), other (8 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Micronesian, some Polynesian
Capital: Tarawa

Freedom of press is provided for in the constitution; the government generally respects this right despite an October 2002 amendment to the Newspaper Registration Act, which permits authorities to de-register a newspaper if it "offends" the public or is likely to lead to "disorder." To date, no publications have been de-registered. In December 2002, a former president was finally granted a license to operate the only private radio station, after the government had blocked this request in 1999. The former president also owns the only private newspaper. The government publishes two newspapers and controls two radio stations. Church-published newsletters also serve as important sources of information.

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.