Americas
Suriname
-
Index 2023
48/ 180
Score : 70.62
Political indicator
55
63.13
Economic indicator
34
60.78
Legislative indicator
132
47.17
Social indicator
7
90.91
Security indicator
19
91.11
Index 2022
52/ 180
Score : 68.95
Political indicator
51
67.88
Economic indicator
44
55.10
Legislative indicator
102
62.28
Social indicator
34
84.00
Security indicator
57
75.51

Suriname earns high marks for respect for freedom to inform, given the rarity of attacks on journalists and the diversity of its media.  

Media landscape

The country enjoys a pluralist media landscape. The two major private papers are De Ware Tijd and De West.
 

Political context

Suriname is a parliamentary republic, in which the National Assembly’s 51 members, each elected to a five-year term, choose the president, who is also head of government. Chandirapersad “Chan” Santokhi was inaugurated in July 2020.

Legal framework

The Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. However, an extremely harsh defamation law provides for penalties of up to seven years in prison for “public expression of hate” toward the government.

Economic context

Suriname is a small country whose economy is based on extractive industries and depends heavily on foreign trade. The mining industry accounts for more than one-third of GDP and government revenues. The press and journalists, for their part, suffer from lack of training and resources.

Sociocultural context

Suriname gained independence in 1975. As the only Dutch-speaking country on the continent, Suriname’s culture kept it remote from the regional political scene. Adding to the isolation was its inaccessibility, its political orientation during the final years of the Cold War – siding with Nicaragua, Cuba, and the Salvadoran guerrilla movement – and its own civil war, which raged from 1986-1992.

Safety

The press frequently publishes reports critical of the government. This occasionally provokes official pressure and intimidation of journalists, leading to self-censorship.