Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies
declarations and demands. In 1996 Haiti had more than sixty
radio stations, including twenty-nine in the Port-au-Prince area.
Under 1991-94 de facto military rule, several radio stations
were ransacked, and outspoken announcers were kidnapped
and/or killed. Fearing the consequences of political reporting,
stations undertook a mode of self-censorship. Objective reports
on the political crisis reached Haiti via shortwave Voice of
America (VOA) broadcasts, from stations broadcasting in Creole
from the Dominican Republic, and, at one point, from
United States military aircraft equipped with radio transmitters.
Since late 1994, Haiti's radio stations have resumed their
pre-coup role as outlets for news, political commentary, declarations,
and discussions. Their number has expanded considerably
with the advent of low-power, community-based radio
stations.
In 1996 Haiti's print media were dominated by two daily
newspapers published in Port-au-Prince with an estimated combined
circulation of 29,000, four weekly newspapers including
three edited in New York and Miami and sold in Haiti, and a
variety of monthly publications. The number of publications
varies over time, with some produced irregularly. Circulation
outside Port-au-Prince is limited. Unlike radio, which broadcasts
principally in Creole, Haiti's print media are primarily in
French. In 1996 Haiti had six publishing houses and several
dozen bookstores.
In 1996 some twenty television stations, including a cable
network, were broadcasting in Haiti. With the advent of small,
independent stations in Haiti's secondary cities, broadcasts are
much more available than before outside of Port-au-Prince.
Those with means own satellite dishes that pick up television
signals from abroad. During de facto military rule, international
broadcasts picked up by these dishes played a major role
in disseminating information. Telephones, faxes, and E-mail
also played a key role in diffusing information, both during de
facto military rule and after it. Their utility, however, is circumscribed
by the irregularity and low quality of Haiti's telephone
service, and the limited number of available telephone lines. In
1996 President Preval disbanded the government's Ministry of
Propaganda and Information. Taking its place have been public
relations offices and information officer positions in key
government ministries and departments.
Technology and modern communications notwithstanding,
zen, that is, information and rumors passed from one person to
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