FOTP 2013 Full Report

FM radio stations broadcast regularly, and there are two private television channels. Print mediainclude a government publication that appears twice weekly and a handful of independentweeklies—including A Semana, the largest paper, as well as Expresso das Ilhas and A Nação—and monthlies, such as Artiletra. Portuguese and Brazilian newspapers are also readily available.Geographic barriers in the country, which is made up of several islands, constitute impedimentsto the distribution of newspapers and other media products. This has contributed to theimportance of the community radio sector. Difficulties raising funds and a lack of specificregulations governing community radio have been identified as major issues for the sustainabilityof this sector, and community radio advocates have called for government help with operatingcosts and new legislation.Internet usage has risen dramatically over the last few years, from 8 percent of thepopulation in 2007 to 35 percent in 2012. The cities have numerous cybercafés, giving residentsregular access to the medium. There were no reports that the government restricted internetaccess or monitored e-mail messages.Central African RepublicStatus: Not FreeLegal Environment: 20Political Environment: 23Economic Environment: 19Total Score: 62Survey Edition 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Total Score, Status 61,NF 61,NF 61,NF 61,NF 62,NFIn late 2012, the Séléka rebel coalition began its march on the capital in an attempt to overthrowthe government of President François Bozizé. The media freedom situation had not beendramatically affected by year’s end, though there were reports of pressure being placed oncommunity radio stations and their staff as the rebels advanced.The 2005 constitution of the Central African Republic (CAR) provides for freedom of thepress, though authorities have used intimidation, the suspension of media outlets, and legalharassment to limit reporting, particularly on sensitive topics such as official corruption and rebelactivity. A press law that went into effect in 2005 abolished imprisonment for many pressoffenses, such as libel and slander, but criminal penalties remain for some defamation charges,incitement of ethnic or religious hatred, and the publication or broadcast of false information thatcould “disturb the peace.” In January 2012, Ferdinand Samba, an editor of the weekly LeDémocrate, was sentenced to 10 months in prison on charges of incitement to hatred,defamation, and insult to Finance Minister Sylvain Ndoutingaï, who is President Bozizé’snephew. Samba was also fined one million CFA francs ($2,000) and ordered to pay 10 millionCFA francs ($20,000) in damages, and his publication was suspended for a year. Many CARjournalists and international groups called for Samba’s release, as the sentence contravened thepress law. Private newspapers organized a news blackout on January 19 and 20 to protest thesentence. Bozizé ultimately pardoned Samba on World Press Freedom Day in May. Also in115