A law passed in 1997 declares the airwaves to be the property of the government, but at least 133 unlicensed radio stations operate freely.
[1] The media sector in Haiti has a long history and its situation today might be understood in the light of its progress through the years.
The press and media sector is running under a Decree issued on July 31, 1986 by the General' Henri Namphy's government.
The Ministry of Information and Coordination issue accreditation cards, renewable each year, to the press enterprises that have legal registration.
Foreign journalists who want to practice their profession in Haiti have to request a professional card from the Ministry of Information and Coordination.
In Haiti, three news agencies, two daily and two weekly newspapers published in the capital, Port-au-Prince, form the core of the written press.
Public media, grouped in the consortium RTNH (Radio Télévision Nationale d’Haïti), despite the out datedness of their equipment, cover much of the territory.
Excepted the stations of the Baptist network Radio Lumière, these Christian media are managed by local churches or dioceses.
The media fail to operate properly and to meet their financial obligations, as renew their equipment and improve working conditions and salaries of technicians and journalists.
In Haiti, due to major economic difficulties facing the country, the advertising market is low and is concentrated mainly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The media in the Diaspora, Canada and the United States, operating in a more structured, less confront these problems, due also to the greater access to funding sources, such as advertising and subsidies.
Illiteracy and low enrolment rates are obstacles that prevent the spread of the media, including the written press.