Trinidad and Tobago - Media

Postal and internal telegraph services throughout the islands are operated by the government. As of 1999, there were 252,000 main telephone lines. In 1997, there were 17,411 cellular phones in use. Commercial cable communication and radiotelephone services are maintained between Trinidad and all major countries of the world.

Radio broadcasting is provided by the National Broadcasting Service (public) and the Trinidad Broadcasting Co., a subsidiary of Rediffusion International of London. Founded in 1962 and state-owned since 1969, the Trinidad and Tobago Television Service emphasizes school and adult-education programs. There were 1 AM and 10 FM radio stations in 1998. In 1997, there were four television stations. In 2000, there were 340 television sets and 532 radios for every 1,000 people. In 2001, about 17 Internet service providers were serving 42,800 subscribers.

There were four daily newspapers in 2002. The Trinidad Guardian, a morning and Sunday paper, had an average daily circulation of 46,760. The Trinidad Express, published daily and Sunday, had a daily circulation of 51,000. Newsday, also published daily and Sunday, had a daily circulation of 25,000. Trinidad Evening News , published daily, had a circulation of 33,770.

Freedom of the press is both constitutionally guaranteed and respected in practice.