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.
Media landscape
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.
Political context
Haiti has been embroiled in a profound political and social crisis for decades. Since Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation in March 2024, a transitional Presidential Council has been established to restore order and organise elections. However, internal divisions have emerged. Gang violence has intensified, with gangs controlling up to 85 per cent of Port-au-Prince and expanding their attacks beyond the capital. This situation has worsened the humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 700,000 people and leaving nearly half the population facing food insecurity. International efforts, including a multinational mission led by Kenya, have been deployed to support the Haitian police, but challenges persist due to the complexity of the crisis and internal political tensions. In this context, the rule of law has been severely weakened, and press freedom remains under constant threat. Journalists carry out their work in an environment of extreme insecurity, with no guarantees of protection or justice in the face of the violence they endure.
Legal framework
The constitution guarantees freedom of the press, but in practice, journalists face many obstacles. Even when journalists report credible death threats to the authorities, little is ever done aside from filing a complaint, and media professionals do not benefit from any protective measures.
Economic context
Haiti has been one of the poorest countries in the Americas for nearly a century. Its economy, essentially based on agriculture, is vulnerable to natural disasters. The country is also heavily dependent on international aid and remittances from the diaspora. Journalism is one of the lowest paid professions and, aside from those working for the state media and a few privately owned media, reporters struggle to meet their basic food needs.
Sociocultural context
Haiti is culturally rich, especially in art, music, dance and theatre. These resources constitute a development factor capable of projecting a different image of the country and attracting tourists. Existing infrastructure on the island is damaged by successive natural disasters.
Safety
The security situation for reporters in Haiti has significantly worsened, making the country one of the most dangerous in the world for jouralism. Media professionals are targeted by gangs and regularly subjected to threats, attacks, kidnappings and assassinations. They risk their lives both while covering events and within their own newsrooms, which are also under attack. In the absence of the rule of law, this increased violence is committed with impunity. As the gangs have extended their control over the capital, journalists have been able to work in fewer and fewer districts, not without considerable risk. Many have resigned themselves to fleeing abroad.
