Cote d'Ivoire
The government has used the media under its control, particularly the state broadcaster Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirienne (RTI), as a powerful tool in the country's ongoing crisis. As Ivorian forces launched attacks on rebels in the north in late 2004, state media fell into propaganda while opposition and independent newspapers based in Abidjan were raided and ceased publication. FM relays of foreign stations such as the BBC, Radio France Internationale and Africa No1 in the city were disrupted. Radio is Ivory Coast's most-popular medium. There are approximately 30 low-power, non-commercial community radio stations, including some run by the Catholic Church. There are no private terrestrial TV stations, although pay-TV services are provided by Canal Satellite Horizons. Rebels in the center of the country use state radio and TV facilities in Bouake for their own broadcasts. In August 2004, UN peacekeepers launched their own radio station, ONUCI FM. The station is now available in Abidjan and rebel-held towns in the north.
Press: All newspapers are in French. The main dailies include state-owned newspaper Fraternité Matin, Notre Voie, which is owned by the ruling party, opposition newspaper Le Patriote; Soir Info, Le Jour, Le Front, L'Inter and 24 Heures are all privately owned.
Television: State-run Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) operates La Première and TV2. Radio: State-run Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) operates La Chaine Nationale and Fréquence 2; Radio Nostalgie is a private, Abidjan FM station; Africa No1 is a relay of a Gabon-based pan-African station, with some local programming; Radio Espoir is an Abidjan Catholic station; Radio Paix Sanwi is an Aboisso Catholic station.
