FOTP 2013 Full Report

which are entirely state owned, broadcast biased information, display favoritism toward thepresident, and generally refrain from covering dissenting views. The new media law potentiallyopens these sectors to private ownership, but the regulatory body required to implement suchliberalization has not been created. More than 60 percent of households have satellite dishes thatprovide access to alternate sources of information. The government has tremendous economicinfluence over print media, as most papers are printed on state-owned presses. In 2008, thegovernment placed six state-owned printing presses under the direct control of theCommunications Ministry, threatening the editorial autonomy of half of Algeria’s privatelyowned newspapers. The state-owned advertising agency favors content with a progovernmentbias by controlling the placement of ads for state entities and companies, which form the largestsource of income for most papers.Foreign media outlets continue to face barriers to free reporting. Officials blockdistribution of foreign papers when they carry content deemed subversive. In particular, foreignmedia coverage of issues related to national security and terrorism is restricted. The Algeriaoffice of Qatar’s Al-Jazeera satellite television network remained closed in 2012.About 15 percent of the population accessed the internet in 2012. The governmentmonitors e-mail and online chat rooms, and internet service providers are legally liable for thecontent they host.AndorraStatus: FreeLegal Environment: 1Political Environment: 4Economic Environment: 8Total Score: 13Survey Edition 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Total Score, Status 13,F 13,F 13,F 13,F 13,FAngolaStatus: Not FreeLegal Environment: 19Political Environment: 28Economic Environment: 21Total Score: 68Survey Edition 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Total Score, Status 63,NF 61,NF 62,NF 64,NF 67,NFDespite constitutional guarantees that protect freedom of expression and the press, media inAngola operate in a restrictive environment, and conditions deteriorated during 2012. State-runmedia continued to be the principal source of information, as the government maintained tight64