Laos Profile: The ruling communists maintain strict control over the media

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19 October 2011 Last updated at 05:01 ET

The ruling communists control most of the media

The ruling communists maintain strict control over the media. The government owns all newspapers and broadcast media. Newspaper circulation figures are very low.

Slandering the state, distorting party policies and spreading false rumours are all criminal offences.

Media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted in 2010 that “the activities of the president and top party leaders are always the lead stories in the state media, which are the only media permitted”.

There were some 527,400 internet users by December 2009 (InternetWorldStats). According to RSF, the authorities do not censor the internet.

The press

• Vientiane Times – state-run, English-language
• Le Renovateur – state run, French-language
• Vientiane Mai – state-run daily
• Pasaxon – party monthly

Television

• Lao National TV (TVNL) – state-run
• Laos Television 3 – joint venture with Thai company

Radio

• Lao National Radio – state-run

News Agency

• KPL – state-run

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