Status: Free
Legal Environment: 8 (of 30)
Political Environment: 9 (of 40)
Economic Environment: 6 (of 30)
Total Score: 23 (of 100)
(Lower scores = freer)

Grenada's media situation remained free but legally fragile in 2006. Although freedom of the press is guaranteed by law, the government is accused of using both the threat of libel laws and its right to grant broadcast licenses to apply pressure on the media. One incident of particular concern during 2006 involved George Worme, editor of the Grenada Today newspaper. Worme – who has clashed with the authorities over libel issues in the past – was detained by police for several hours on March 14 in relation to a possibly libelous article published the previous month. No charges were made against him, but media freedom advocates claimed it was another indication of the ruling New National Party's efforts to limit media criticism. According to the U.S. State Department, in June the prime minister won a libel case he brought against the editor of a newspaper, and the editor was ordered to pay approximately US$37,000. On several occasions, members of the government publicly criticized the print media for running critical articles. At a meeting of the Media Workers Association of Grenada in June, the organization's president, Michael Bascombe, again complained that authorities' selection for granting radio licenses was guided by political considerations. Grenada has 5 television stations, 11 radio stations, 4 newspapers, and 5 periodicals. The government does not place restrictions on the internet, which was accessed by nearly 20 percent of the population in 2006.

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.