Africa

Central African Republic

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 1.71	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

The media have suffered tremendously through the years of war, instability, and poverty. Despite constitutional guarantees for the freedom of the press, the authorities have failed to uphold these laws. Censorship is common, and journalists endure threats and intimidation

Despite these obstacles, there were several important developments for the media in 2009. One major advance for the media came with the February 2009 court order decriminalizing press offenses. The panelists also praised the 2009 creation of a journalism department at the University of Bangui. Furthermore, journalists have set up agencies and are exploring hosting a convention to help them meet professional standards, which constitutes an important advancement.

These significant changes in the media landscape help explain CAR's improved MSI score, up from the 2009 score of 1.47. However, the score still falls in the unsustainable, mixed-system range, reflecting an ongoing failure of the state to adequately support freedom of the press and the problems the media themselves face with professionalism, management, and developing supporting institutions.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 61 (Not Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

Freedom House Description:

The 2005 constitution provides for freedom of the press, though authorities have continued to use intimidation and legal harassment to limit reporting, particularly on sensitive topics such as official corruption and antigovernment insurgencies.
A new press law, which decriminalized many press offenses such as libel and slander, was approved by President Francois Bozize in early 2005; criminal penalties remain for some defamation charges, for incitement to ethnic or religious hatred, and for the publication or broadcast of false information that could “disturb the peace.”
Among other cases of harassment and detention in 2008, the government arrested Faustin Bambou, editor of Les Collines du Bas-Oubangui, in January for an article accusing two government ministers of embezzling around US$14 million from the French company AREVA. He was convicted of defamation and given a six-month prison term, but was released in March following a pardon from the president.

Africa

Central African Republic

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