Freedom of the Press - Mauritania (2002)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Mauritania (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4734506e21.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | 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. |
Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 23
Political Influences: 18
Economic Pressures: 20
Total Score: 61
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 51
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Mixed Maur/black (40 percent), Maur (30 percent), black (30 percent)
Capital: Nouakchott
Municipal and national assembly elections in 2001 provided some movement toward a freer society, but strict control of the news media by the ruling party tainted the election. About 20 private newspapers publish regularly and are sometimes critical of officials but they must register with the government and submit copies of the papers before publication to the interior and justice ministries. They may block material deemed offensive to Islam or threatening national security. During the year, the authorities seized seven issues of different journals. In April, a government minister withdrew a correspondent's accreditation. The state owns the only two daily newspapers and monopolizes nearly all broadcast media.