In its World Press Freedom Index 2025, RSF said the situation in Haiti, which had a ranking of 111 from the 180 countries assessed, was due to the state’s collapse and gang violence which “have turned journalism into a life-threatening profession.

“Haiti’s journalists suffer from a cruel lack of financial resources, an absence of institutional support and difficulty accessing information. Caught between a wave of widespread violence and the social, economic and political crisis, they are targeted by gangs and are often victims of threats, attacks, kidnapping and murder – crimes met with complete impunity,” RSF said in its report on the media in the Americas.

It said that radio is the most widely followed mass medium. The country has more than 700 radio and TV stations, but only half operate legally with a licence from Conatel, the agency that regulates communications. Haiti’s national radio and TV broadcaster, RTNH, is the primary state media outlet.

According to RSF, Haiti has been embroiled in a profound political and social crisis for decades and that since Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation in March 2024, a transitional Presidential Council has been established to restore order and organise elections. (Jamaica Gleaner)