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| Title | Freedom of the Press - Brunei (2003) |
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Country | Brunei Darussalam |
| Publication Date | 30 April 2003 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Brunei (2003), 30 April 2003, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4734509f21.html [accessed 17 February 2012] |
| 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. |
Freedom of the Press - Brunei (2003)
Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 28
Political Influences: 26
Economic Pressures: 22
Total Score: 76
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 74
Religious Groups: Shafeite (67 percent), Buddhist (13 percent), Christian (10 percent), Indigenous beliefs and other (10 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Malay (67 percent), Chinese (15 percent), other (18 percent)
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Freedom of the press is not provided for by law and is significantly restricted in practice. Legislation that took effect in October 2001 further restricts the rights of the media by requiring newspapers to apply for annual publishing permits, allowing officials to shut down newspapers without showing cause, threatening journalists with jail terms for publishing "false news," and requiring noncitizens to obtain government approval before working for the media. Private newspapers are owned or controlled by the sultan's family, or generally practice self-censorship on sensitive issues. However, several dailies do carry letters that criticize government policies. The only local broadcast media are operated by the government-controlled Radio Television Brunei, although cable television is available. There are no apparent restrictions on Internet use.
Topics: Freedom of expression,
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