2.1

A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting,
internet) is available and affordable to citizens.

ANALYSIS:
The growth of broadcasting in Cape Verde is very slow, and diversity in the
sector is very little. There is a dominant role played by the Cape Verde National
Radio (RNCV), which has almost been the sole beneficiary of all the
international cooperation programmes in the media undertaken by the
government. This is because as far as government is concerned, RNCV
guarantees national unity, which could be put at risk by the rapid expansion of
community radio stations, currently totalling six in the entire country. The same
situation applies in the case of the public television station, TCV. These two
broadcasting organizations, each on its own, dedicate 80 percent of their news
programming to government activities.
Print media is a little more diversified, but generally, in terms of coverage, they
also follow the same model as that of the two broadcasting organizations, giving
a lot of coverage to official events. Most of them, with the notable exception of
the weekly A Semana, are based in the national capital, Praia, without offices in
other parts of the country, which is an archipelago consisting of 10 islands.
There is not a single daily newspaper in Cape Verde, and that is due in great
measure to the non-existence of a printing industry capable of handling such a
high demand.
From outside, Cape Verde receives free-to-air broadcasts from the African
service of the Portuguese Television (RTP-Africa), Canal-5 of France, and the
Brazilian Record. There is also a significant growth of the Internet.

SCORES:
Individual scores:

3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 4

Average score:

3.5

2.2

Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not
restricted by state authorities.

ANALYSIS:
There are no official restrictions on access. The biggest restriction is of a
financial nature. Those who have the financial resources are free to access the
satellite services of DSTV. In addition to TCV there is a private television station
known as Tiver.
As far as radio is concerned, the BBC is able to broadcast into Cape Verde
through an arrangement with Radio Nova. The same applies to the Voice of
America. Foreign newspapers are also sold in the country without restrictions.
One in every 10 Cape Verdeans has a radio receiver. For television the ratio is
2 to 3.
29

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