Last Updated: Tuesday, 29 May 2012, 16:08 GMT  
Title Freedom of the Press - Laos (2002)
Publisher Freedom House
Country Lao People's Democratic Republic
Publication Date 22 April 2002
Cite as Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Laos (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/47345066c.html [accessed 30 May 2012]
DisclaimerThis 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 - Laos (2002)

Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 26
Political Influences: 34
Economic Pressures: 22
Total Score: 82

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 52
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Lao Loum (68 percent), Lao Theung (22 percent), Lao Soung [includes Hmong and Yao] (9 percent), Vietnamese and Chinese (1 percent)
Capital: Vientiane

Criminalizing "misleading news" on the Internet was only the latest draconian effort by the government to restrict all news and information available to Laotians. The government owns all newspapers and broadcast media and tightly controls their content. In June, authorities announced they would introduce a new law requiring journalists to slant their coverage to favor the government. Rules already in effect subject journalists to 5 to 15 years in prison for not filing "constructive reports" or for "attempting" to obstruct the regime.

Topics: Freedom of expression,

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