Media laws at Nauru

20 May 2025 --
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Nauru's media landscape is primarily state-controlled, with the government overseeing broadcasting services and regulating content. Here's an overview of the media laws and regulations in Nauru:

📺 Broadcasting and Communications

Nauru Broadcasting Service (NBS)Established in 1968, NBS is the government-owned, non-commercial broadcasting service responsible for both radio and television It operates

Radio Nauru:Broadcasts on 88 MHz FM, offering a mix of local content, news, music, and programs from Radio Australia and the BBC, The station operates daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Nauru Television (NTV):Launched in 1991, NTV is the sole television broadcaster in the country, It airs a combination of local programming and content from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Television New Zealand

📜 Media Laws and Regulations

**Communications and Broadcasting Act 2018*

This Act established the Nauru Communications Authority, which oversees telecommunications and broadcasting service. Key provisions include:

Content Regulation The Cabinet can set standards for broadcasting content, including restrictions on unsuitable content, classification methods, advertising, and the representation of national cultur.

Censorship Service providers are prohibited from broadcasting content that is indecent, obscene, blasphemous, treasonous, or seditiou.

Mandatory Content The Cabinet may require service providers to broadcast content related to national interest, education, or religious programming without charg.

Internet Regulation The Act grants the authority to issue take-down notices for prohibited content and mandates filtering measures to block access to child pornograph.

🛂 Foreign Media Acces

In 2014, Nauru increased the visa fee for foreign journalists to $8,000, a move that was widely criticized as an attempt to deter international media coverage. The government maintains that it has never enacted a media ban but reserves the right to grant or deny media visas based on the outlet's respect for Nauru's sovereigny.

⚖️ Freedom of Expressio

In 2015, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression expressed concern over amendments to Nauru's Criminal Code that could unduly restrict freedom of expression. The amendments made it an offense to publish statements causing emotional stress or likely to threaten public order, with penalties of up to seven years in prison. The UN urged Nauru to revoke these measures to fulfill its human rights obligatios.

📰 Press Freedom Stats

As of 2015, Freedom House classified Nauru's press as "Partly Free," a downgrade from "Free" between 2002 and 21 This change reflects increasing censorship and restrictions on foreign media accss.

In summary, Nauru's media laws emphasize state control over broadcasting content and regulate foreign media access, with provisions that have raised concerns about freedom of expression and press freedom.