Freedom of the Press - Barbados (2003)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 1
Political Influences: 4
Economic Pressures: 9
Total Score: 14

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 73
Religious Groups: Protestant (67 percent), Roman Catholic (4 percent), none (17 percent), other (12 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Black (80 percent), white (4 percent), other (16 percent)
Capital: Bridgetown

Freedom of the press is unrestricted, and the media are free of censorship and government control. The constitution provides for freedom of the press, and this right is respected in practice. The two major daily newspapers are privately owned, and there is a mix of private and public radio stations in operation. The state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, which is the country's sole television station, represents a wide range of political views. There have been some complaints, however, that the government uses its influence to limit reporting on certain sensitive issues. There is some concentration of nongovernmental media ownership, but no other significant economic influences restrict press freedom.