Media in the Bahamas

The media landscape in the Bahamas includes, among others, The Nassau Guardian, The Tribune, ZNS-News, and local print, television, radio, online, and social-media offerings. Coverage of the Family Islands and Grand Bahama is practically significant because reach and local coverage vary by provider. The state public-service broadcaster (Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB)) is the public-service broadcaster; ZNS is its media brand. Private radio and television providers also operate. The independent electronic-communications regulator (URCA) is responsible for regulating electronic communications, licenses, and frequencies. The communications statute (Communications Act 2009) defines broadcasting as radio, television, or teletext programs for public reception and also includes pay television. The electronic communications sector code (Code for Electronic Communications Sector (ECS) 78/2024), published on 20 December 2024, binds licensed radio and television providers. It may also cover locally produced or online-distributed content when a provider exercises editorial control and the content is received in the Bahamas. The ECS Code addresses harm and offensive content, the protection of young people, political broadcasts and advertising, advertising and sponsorship, news and factual programs, and access services. Among other things, it requires accuracy, impartiality, fairness, privacy protection, timely corrections, and cultural relevance. Depending on the service, this includes subtitles, audio description, described video, or sign language. Synthetic or artificial-intelligence-generated media should remain accurate, truthful, balanced, and objective and must not create a misleading representation. Children and young people are subject to special rules. Children are under 18 years old; younger children are under 12, while older children are between 12 and under 18. Content unsuitable for children should generally be broadcast only between 21:00 and 05:00. Television broadcasters use, among others, the ratings TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA, together with additional warnings. Violence, sexuality and nudity, language, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and gambling may trigger different restrictions. Streaming services and social media do not operate under identical legal rules. The ECS Code covers on-demand audiovisual media services and the online distribution of licensed content. General user-generated content on social media is not automatically covered by the same broadcasting framework unless a licensed audiovisual service with editorial responsibility is behind it. Reliable current sources do not provide a complete list of local streaming or subscription-based video platforms; international services are accessed through internet or pay-TV connections. Island, network, tariff, and device are central to media access. According to the available information, 92.5 percent of the population used the internet in 2024, and mobile-connection ownership stood at 94 percent. URCA recorded 101,396 fixed broadband connections, equivalent to 24.98 connections per 100 inhabitants, as well as 60,800 pay-TV connections. The named providers include BTC, Cable Bahamas, and Starlink. Cable Bahamas offers fixed broadband on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Eleuthera; BTC and Starlink are oriented nationwide. BTC offers IPTV only on selected islands. Specific prices and availability must therefore be checked for the relevant island and tariff. Electronic communications and broadcasting also support hurricane warnings, preparedness, and connectivity for the Family Islands in the Bahamas. ZNS and other broadcasting services may therefore have greater practical reach during emergencies than individual online platforms. Article 23 of the Constitution protects freedom of expression and the receiving and imparting of information, but permits legal limits, for example to protect public safety, public order, public health, reputation, confidential information, and the authority of courts. The public-information statute (Freedom of Information Act 2017) governs publication duties and access to records held by public authorities. Applications, partial access, fees, exemptions, and internal reviews form part of the process. The copyright statute (Copyright Act 2024) protects economic and moral rights in works and regulates, among other things, reproduction and distribution. Exceptions for criticism, review, and reporting may apply; the specific use must be assessed case by case. For a complaint about a broadcast, the user first contacts the relevant licensee. The licensee should acknowledge receipt within two business days and provide a substantive response no later than five calendar days. If the complaint remains unresolved, it can generally be referred to URCA within 21 business days. URCA aims to provide an acknowledgment within two working days, an initial assessment within 15 working days, and an investigation within 60 working days. Urgent complaints or interim orders may in some circumstances be handled within 48 hours. A final decision may be appealed to the Utilities Appeal Tribunal. Paid political broadcasts and political advertising are subject to additional rules during the election period; paid political material is restricted on election day.