Freedom of the Press - Belize (2004)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 28 April 2004 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Belize (2004), 28 April 2004, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/473450f3c.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Status: Free
Legal Environment: 8
Political Influences: 9
Economic Pressures: 5
Total Score: 22
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 67
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (49.6 percent), Protestant (27 percent), other (23.4 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (48.7 percent), Creole (24.9 percent), Maya (10.6 percent), Garifuna (6.1 percent), other (9.7 percent)
Capital: Belmopan
The constitution provides for freedom of press and speech, and the government generally respects these rights. However, the constitution also permits government authorities to make "reasonable provisions" in the interests of defense, public safety, public order, public morality, or public health. These provisions include fines and prison terms for any citizen who questions, outside strict procedural guidelines, any financial disclosure statements submitted by public officials. No cases limiting press freedom through these provisions were reported in 2003. Constraining libel laws cover both newspaper and television broadcasting, although these laws have not been applied in several years. Public debate, criticism, and comments on the government and political matters are vibrantly visible in the media. There are at least 10 privately owned weekly newspapers, two of which are owned by major political parties. Commercial radio stations are also plentiful, and state-run radio was privatized in 1998. Investigative journalist Melvin Flores fled to the United States in February 2003 after receiving threats, presumably related to his reports on a stolen U.S.-owned Hummer sport utility vehicle that was brought into Belize, allegedly with the help of government officials.
