Freedom of the Press - Cote d'Ivoire (2002)

Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 22
Political Influences: 25
Economic Pressures: 19
Total Score: 66

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 46
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Baule (23 percent), Bete (18 percent), Senoufou (15 percent), Malinke (11 percent), Agni, foreign Africans, non-Africans (33 percent)
Capital: Yamoussoukro (official)

Worsening economic conditions hindered the private news media, though harassment, beatings, and detentions were significantly reduced in number from the year before. Two journalists received death threats in 2001 and an editor's family members were killed while he was on assignment. Criminal libel is punishable up to two years in prison and "insult" laws protect members of the government and foreign officials from defamation by the press. However, no legal action was taken against journalists throughout the year. The only national broadcasting is government-owned, though there are 43 community radio stations with limited influence. The government owns the two television stations. Seventeen private newspapers criticize government policy but occasionally exercise self-censorship.