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The media are highly-politicised and vulnerable to influence from their business and politics-linked owners, says Reporters Without Borders.

The constitution does provide for freedom of the press, however, Freedom House says this guarantee has been undermined by criminal libel laws and other restrictions.

Although nationwide broadcasting remains a state monopoly, there are hundreds of private local radio and TV stations. Radio is the main medium for news, due to high levels of illiteracy.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service radio is available on FM in Antananarivo (96.2), and Fianarantsoa and Toamasina (89.8). Radio France Internationale (RFI) is also carried by FM relays.

There were 2.8 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 10% of the population (Internetworldstats.com).