Freedom of the Press - Marshall Islands (2006)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 1
Political Influences: 6
Economic Pressures: 8
Total Score: 15

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 68
Religious Groups: Christian (mostly Protestant)
Ethnic Groups: Micronesian
Capital: Majuro

The Bill of Rights in the constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the media, and the government generally respects these rights in practice. The Marshall Islands do not have freedom of information legislation, however, and the government has proven uncooperative in granting access to state information. During the year, the government reversed its prior decision to deny a local nongovernmental organization, Women United Together in the Marshall Islands, the right to broadcast outreach programs on violence against women on the state-run radio station. Although the government does not often actively restrict the media, the lack of both an integrated communications infrastructure and government funding serves to limit the dissemination of information. The Marshallese receive most of their news from the only weekly newspaper, the independent Marshall Islands Journal, and the national radio station, V7AB, both of which offer diverse viewpoints. However, independent media outlets seem to be growing with the birth of new privately owned radio and television stations. The Marshall Islands have a little over 2,000 internet users, and the government does not place any restrictions on their access.