Freedom of the Press - Trinidad and Tobago (2005)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 4
Political Influences: 11
Economic Pressures: 9
Total Score: 24

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 71
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (29.4 percent), Hindu (23.8 percent), Anglican (10.9 percent), Muslim (5.8 percent), Presbyterian (3.4 percent), other (26.7 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Black (40 percent), East Indian (40 percent), mixed (18 percent), other (2 percent)
Capital: Port-of-Spain

In keeping with the general trend in the Caribbean, media in Trinidad and Tobago are generally free to express independent views, even if they are highly critical of the government. Freedom of the press is enshrined in the constitution. However, Prime Minister Patrick Manning and members of his party, the People's National Movement, issued numerous criticisms of the press and suggested that there was a need for a code of ethics for journalists. Several journalists reported being assaulted during the year, causing media organizations to call for more protection for journalists. There are three daily newspapers and three political weeklies. Daily newspapers are widely read, with a relatively high circulation rate of approximately 123 per 1,000 people. However, radio is the most ubiquitous medium on the twin island republic. The Trinidad Broadcasting Company operates a number of stations in addition to Radio Trinidad, while several other private stations operate.