Freedom of the Press - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2003)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 2
Political Influences: 8
Economic Pressures: 7
Total Score: 17

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 72
Religious Groups: Anglican (47 percent), Methodist (28 percent), Roman Catholic (13 percent), Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other
Ethnic Groups: Black (66 percent), other, including mulatto, East Indian, and white (34 percent)
Capital: Kingstown

Freedom of expression is provided for by the constitution, and there are no laws that restrict press freedom in the country. Two major newspapers and numerous smaller, partisan publications are all privately owned, and they openly scrutinize government policies. The only television station is privately owned and free from government interference. However, the country's sole radio station is state-owned and the government controls programming and also prohibits call-in shows. Some individual journalists have complained that government advertising, a significant source of revenue, is sometimes withheld from newspapers that are more critical of the government.