Status: Free
Legal Environment: 1
Political Influences: 7
Economic Pressures: 10
Total Score: 18
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 67
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (50 percent), Protestant (47 percent), other (3 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Micronesian, Polynesian
Capital: Palikir
The constitution protects freedom of speech and of the press, and the government respects these rights. The biggest constraints for Micronesian media are the small market and lack of economic resources to support a diverse private media. The nation has no daily newspaper, although two private newspapers publish weekly and are able to cover sensitive issues. The national government and each of the four states publish newsletters. Aside from national and private radio, each state also controls a radio station, which broadcasts primarily in the local language. Foreign television is available via cable in three of the four states. The Internet, which is unrestricted by the government, is increasingly providing a forum for news and debate.
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