Haiti - Media

The government owns and operates domestic telephone and telegraph communications. In 1997 there were 60,000 main telephone lines, with automatic transmission in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, and Les Cayes, and a new 30,000-line network was nearing completion. In 2000, there were about three cellular phones in use for every 1,000 people.

All America Radio and Cables, RCA Global Communications, and Western Union International provide international telephone and telegraph service. In 2001, there were about 253 private radio stations. In 1997, there were only two television stations. Télé Haïti is a commercial cable station; it has also been given exclusive rights to import and sell television parts and receivers. National Television of Haiti, the official station, began broadcasting in 1985. In 2000 there were 55 radios and 5 television sets for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were three Internet service providers serving 6,000 subscribers.

The principal Haitian newspapers (all published in Port-au-Prince) are the three dailies, Le Matin, (2002 circulation, 5,000), Le Nouvelliste (6,000), and L'Union (7,000). Le Moniteur, the official gazette, is published three times a week.

The constitution guarantees free speech and a free press, and the government is said to uphold these freedoms with few exceptions. There are generally no reports of censorship, nor do the media appear to practice self-censorship.