Media - Guinea-Bissau (original) (raw)

The two radio networks are the government's Radiodifusäo Nacional de Guiné-Bissau and Radio Libertad, which resumed broadcasting in 1990 after a 16-year hiatus. Televisao Experimental has been on the air since 1989. In 2002, there were five radio stations. One national television station broadcasts from 7 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and 5 p.m. to midnight on weekends. In 2000, there were 44 radios for every 1,000 people. Statistics for the number of televisions in the country was unavailable. Both press and radio are government owned and controlled. In 2001, there were about 10,000 mainline telephones in use. Internet access was limited with two service providers serving about 1,500 people in 1999.

The government-owned daily, Voz da Guine, (in Portuguese) had an estimated circulation of 6,000 in 2002. Privately owned newspapers (published a once or a few times a week) include: Diario de Bissau, Banobero, Gazeta de Noticias , Fraskera , and No Pintcha . These newspapers often delay publications due to financial constraints and dependence on the state-owned printing house, which often lacks supplies.

The constitution provides for free speech and free press, though journalists are said to practice self-censorship to avoid government pressures.