A Guide to the Press of Haiti: Journalism Under Siege

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers and news outlets of Haiti, a nation where journalism has become an act of profound courage and resilience. The Haitian media landscape has been devastated by an unprecedented convergence of gang violence, political collapse, and economic crisis. The traditional print newspaper industry has been all but extinguished, leaving a perilous environment where radio remains a vital lifeline and a handful of news organizations continue their essential work, primarily online, under the most difficult conditions imaginable.

The End of the Print Era

For over a century, print newspapers were a pillar of Haitian public life. Today, they are on the brink of total extinction.

• Le Nouvelliste: Founded in 1898, Le Nouvelliste is Haiti’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious newspaper. For generations, it was the paper of record, surviving dictatorships, earthquakes, and political turmoil. However, in April 2024, after its offices in Port-au-Prince were occupied and looted by armed gangs, it was forced to cease its print edition.⁴ It continues to publish online, a symbol of the media’s struggle for survival.
• Le National: Another of Haiti’s key French-language newspapers that has fought to maintain a presence in an increasingly hostile environment.

A Digital Frontline Amidst Chaos

With the collapse of print, the digital sphere has become the primary, and often only, space for news dissemination. Online news portals and social media are how most Haitians, especially in the vast diaspora, stay informed. However, this space is also fraught with challenges, including the high cost of data and the rampant spread of disinformation. Leading online voices include:

• AlterPresse
• Haiti Libre
• Haiti Press Network

The World’s Most Dangerous Place for Journalists

It is impossible to discuss the Haitian press without acknowledging the extreme dangers journalists face.⁷ Haiti is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for the profession. Reporters are systematically targeted by gangs—they are threatened, attacked, kidnapped for ransom, and murdered with near-total impunity.⁹ Newsrooms have been ransacked and burned, and entire areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince, are no-go zones for reporters.¹⁰ This constant threat has forced many journalists into self-censorship or exile.

The Vital Role of Radio

Amid the chaos, radio remains the most crucial and accessible medium for the majority of the population. Stations like Radio Télévision Caraïbes and Radio Kiskeya have a long history of providing news to the masses, though they too have been targeted by violence, forcing them to adapt and, at times, reduce their operations.

To read a Haitian “newspaper” today is to read the work of journalists who are risking their lives to bear witness. Our collection on w3worldnewspapers.com provides access to the digital voices of these courageous outlets, chronicling the struggle for Haiti’s future.