Newspapers in Comoros
In the Comoros, there are two magazines with weekly publications: state-owned Al Watwan and independent L’Archipel.
The state-controlled company Radio-Comoros broadcasts on Shikomor (Comoro, Comorian) and French nationally and has international broadcasts in French, Swahili and Arabic. The Comoros have no national TV broadcasts. There are 174 radio and 4 TV receivers per 1,000 residents (2000).
Culture
According to ALLUNITCONVERTERS, the culture of the Comoros is characterized partly by Islam and partly by the different peoples who throughout history have moved to the islands.
There is a rich flora of oral stories that have been recorded in recent decades in both Comorian and French. There is also a modern literature, mainly in French.
Traditional music is now performed mainly at large wedding parties that can last for three, four weeks in rich families. The entire villages are invited to the celebration. Today, a mix of traditional Comorian music and contemporary blues, reggae and rap is popular on the islands. A popular style of music is called twarab and originates from Zanzibar.
Theater plays, often with local historical motifs, are sometimes used to convey easily wrapped up social criticism.
Mass Media
The constitution prescribes freedom of the press and opinion, but the media can be subject to some influence from the country’s authorities. This can cause journalists to avoid reporting on sensitive topics.
In connection with the presidential elections in the spring of 2019, several journalists were arrested, according to the press freedom organization CPJ, and three newspapers were prevented from coming out. One of those arrested was Toufé Maecha, editor-in-chief of private newspaper Masiwa Komor, who was held for six hours accused of espionage after asking what happened to people arrested in connection with the election. Two other journalists were arrested in February and had not been released in mid-April 2019.
Only in 2002 did the Comoros get their first daily newspaper, Le Matin des Comores. Another daily newspaper is Albalad. The state-owned weekly magazine Al Watwan is the country’s most influential newspaper. The French-language, independent weekly newspaper Kashkazi was founded in 2005. Daily news coverage also takes place on a number of websites, including Comores Online, but the country has few internet users.
State radio Radio Komores broadcasts in Comorian, Arabic, French and Swahili. There are also many privately owned radio stations that broadcast both news and commercial music radio. Radio broadcasts from the nearby French island of Mayotte reach the entire Comoros.
The state TV channel Télévision Nationale Comorienne was inaugurated in 2006. Several local TV channels can be broadcast without much interference from the government.
FACTS – MASS MEDIA
Percentage of the population using the internet
8 percent (2017)
Number of mobile subscriptions per 100 residents
60 (2018)
2010
December
Dhoinine becomes president
Ikililou Dhoinine also wins the second round of presidential elections (the first round was held in November). Dhoinine gets 61 percent of the vote. The turnout is 53 percent.
November
Dhoinine wins the first round of presidential elections
Ikililou Dhoinine from Mohéli, who is politically closely associated with President Sambi, wins the first round of the election for new Union president with 28 percent of the vote. A second round of elections is planned for December.
May
Extended term of office is annulled
The Constitutional Court annuls the decision of the Union Parliament to extend the term of office of President Zambi. The court cuts the extension from 18 months to a year, during which Sambi will lead a transitional government with limited powers of power.
April
Unrest continues
The unrest following the decision to extend President Zambi’s term of office continues. Sambi strengthens its bodyguard force with Libyan soldiers.
March
The term of office of the President is extended
Decides to extend President Zambi’s term of office by 18 months to November 2011. Popular protests are erupting, especially on the island of Mohéli, which is in line for the rotating presidency.
