Freedom of the press in Djibouti is not specifically mentioned by the country's constitution. However, Article 15 of the Constitution of Djibouti does mention an individual's right to express their opinion "...by word, pen, or image..." and notes that "these rights may be limited by prescriptions in the law and in respect for the honour of others."[1]
Despite this, journalism in Djibouti is severely limited by the government and all television and radio stations within the country are government-controlled.
The country has one national newspaper called La Nation de Djibouti,[2] which is published daily. It is also owned by the government along with the country's only news agency L'Agence Djiboutienne d'Information.[3] An opposition-backed newspaper, Le Renouveau,[4] ceased operations in 2007 after publishing an article accusing President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh[5]'s brother-in-law (the former governor of the Central Bank of Djibouti, Djama Haid) of accepting bribes.[6]
There are also several weekly or monthly publications published by opposition parties, though they are often opinion and politically based information rather than fact-based news. One example is L'Aurore; founded in 2015 it is published and heavily influenced by the USN, the main opposition coalition in Djibouti.[7]
There is one independent radio station which reports uncensored news: La Voix de Djibouti.[8] The station broadcasts in both French and Arabic, and was set up by the Djibouti diaspora in 2010. Although the station broadcasts from Belgium (both online and over AM radio[9]), its employees are subject to Djibouti's press laws while in Djibouti.
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