The mass media in Mozambique is heavily influenced by the government.[1] Information in Mozambique is relayed by means of television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet. Radio is the most popular form of media.[1] Media outlets are regulated by the independent Supreme Mass Media Council.[2]
See also: List of newspapers in Mozambique. Mozambican newspapers have relatively low circulation rates as a result of high newspaper prices and low literacy rates.[1] One study indicates that only 5 in 1000 people have access to newspapers.[3] The two most popular daily newspapers are state-owned Noticias and the privately owned O Pais.[1] State controlled newspapers such as daily Diário de Moçambique and weekly Domingo are also highly circulated.[2] Other newspapers include Savana and Tempo.[4] A weekly newspaper known as Verdade is distributed free of charge near the capital city Maputo and is known for its negative views on the government.[1]
Noticias has the highest circulation rate at 16,000. Savana comes second with 15,000, while Domingo and Zambeze both have 10,000. Circulation is mainly confined to Maputo.[3]
Most funding and advertising revenue is given to pro-government newspapers.[1] However, the number of private newspapers with critical views of the government have increased significantly in recent years.[2]
Radio programmes are the most widespread form of media in the country.[1] The most influential radio stations are state-owned, with most of the private radio stations having only a local audience. State-owned is the most popular radio station in the country.[1] It was established shortly after Mozambique's independence in June 1975 as a result of a merger between three other radio stations.[5] In October of that year, LM Radio, the Afrikaans and English service of Rádio Moçambique was shut down and its facilities nationalized.[5] [6]
The penetration rate of cable television in Maputo is roughly 30%.[3] Televisão de Moçambique, established in 1981,[7] is Mozambique's only state-controlled television station.[2] It is headquartered in Maputo. Approximately five privately owned stations are also headquartered in Maputo.[2] Foreign television stations such as Portuguese state TV and Brazilian-based Miramar have high viewership rates.[8]
With only 4.8% of the population having access to the internet, Mozambique's internet usage is among the lowest in Africa.[9] According to a report released in 2007, the capital Maputo had the highest internet usage rate, standing at 37.7%.[10]
There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet, however, opposition party members report that government intelligence agents monitor e-mail.[11]