Status: Free
Legal Environment: 5
Political Influences: 6
Economic Pressures: 5
Total Score: 16

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 77
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (91.6 percent), Church of Ireland (2.5 percent), other (5.9 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Celtic, English minority
Capital: Dublin

The state generally respects freedom of the press, and the constitution provides for freedom of expression unless the expression is deemed contrary to the public order or the authority of the state. Criminal libel laws and national security legislation result in isolated cases of self-censorship. Official censorship boards have the authority to ban books and movies for violent or pornographic content. Critics have charged that the country's censorship boards violate the European Convention of Human Rights. Print media are independent and offer a variety of perspectives. The government largely controls television broadcasts. However, the growth of cable and satellite providers has diminished the once-dominant influence of state television.

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