FOTP 2013 Full Report

Solomon IslandsStatus: FreeLegal Environment: 6Political Environment: 11Economic Environment: 11Total Score: 28Survey Edition 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Total Score, Status 30,F 30,F 29,F 29,F 28,FArticle 12 of the Solomon Islands’ constitution guarantees freedom of expression and freedom ofinformation, and the government generally respects these rights. However, defamation is acriminal offense, and authorities have in the past filed or threatened charges or civil suits againstthe press. In 2011, the Island Sun newspaper was threatened with a SI$75,000 (US$10,000)compensation demand by supporters of legislator Namson Tram, following a front-page reportabout Tram’s alleged purchase and private registration of his government vehicle. No defamationcases against journalists were reported in 2012. There is currently no freedom of information lawin the Solomon Islands. In an unfortunate rebuff to access to government officials, formerparliamentarian and cabinet minister Jimmy Lusibaea banned his wife Vika, who wassuccessfully elected for the North Malaita seat in August 2012 and who became the only womanin the National Parliament, from speaking to the foreign news media.While the political and news media environment remained fairly stable and diverse,pressure from politicians trying to limit public debate is still a problem, especially for somefledgling news outlets that are attempting to contribute to a plurality of voices. Due to thecountry’s volatile history, some journalists are prone to self-censorship. However, as the countryhas recovered from the 1998–2003 ethnic conflict, journalists have generally been able to coverthe news more freely, without harassment. In 2008, the multinational assistance mission to thecountry launched the Solomon Islands Media Strengthening Scheme, which continues to trainjournalists and give them technical support. Attacks against media workers are rare, and nonewere reported in 2012.The Solomon Star daily dominates the print sector, but there are a number of weeklypapers. The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation operates the national public stationRadio Happy Isles as well as Wantok FM and the provincial stations Radio Happy Lagoon andRadio Temotu. Paoa FM leads the commercial radio sector. One Television, a relatively recentaddition to the media landscape, has proven to be an innovative broadcaster, adding acompetitive and challenging edge to the industry. Due to low literacy levels, broadcast mediareach a much broader swathe of the population than print outlets. There are no restrictions oninternet access, but high costs and a lack of infrastructure limited internet penetration to 7percent of the population in 2012.SomaliaStatus: Not FreeLegal Environment: 27338