Freedom of the Press - Suriname (2003)

Status: Free
Political Influences: 12
Economic Pressures: 14
Total Score: 26

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 71
Religious Groups: Hindu (27.4 percent), Muslim (19.6 percent), Roman Catholic (22.8 percent), Protestant (25.2 percent), indigenous beliefs (5 percent)
Ethnic Groups: East Indian (37 percent), Creole (31 percent), Javanese (15 percent), other (17 percent)
Capital: Paramaribo

Freedom of the press is provided for in the constitution, and the government generally respects this right. There are no laws that restrict press freedom, though journalists do practice self-censorship on issues concerning human rights abuses that took place during the military dictatorship of Desi Bouterse. A few incidents involving the intimidation and harassment of journalists were reported during the year. Two daily newspapers, a dozen television stations, and many radio stations operate in several languages, reflecting the diversity of the population. The state places relatively high costs on establishing media outlets, and the media are somewhat reliant on the state for funding.