Freedom of the Press - Central African Republic (2002)

Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 24
Political Influences: 23
Economic Pressures: 22
Total Score: 69

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 45
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Baya (34 percent), Banda (27 percent), Mandjia(21 percent), Sara (10 percent), other (8 percent)
Capital: Bangui

Two periods of violence further tightened controls over the flow of news and information. Before the abortive military coups, the country had been moving slowly toward less restrictive policies. The several independent newspapers continued to be subject to severe libel laws. Broadcast media were dominated by the state and provided little coverage for critics of the regime. The licensed private radio stations are foreign-owned and broadcast music or religious programs.

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