Media in Dominica

Dominica has a fragmented media system combining formal broadcasting with online and platform-based services. DBS provides national radio and television functions, web radio, news and Watch Pay Per View. GIS publishes official information through news.gov.dm and related public channels. Independent online news providers include Dominica News Online, while historical newspaper holdings in the National Archives extend to 1977; the current size of the print sector cannot be stated reliably from an official overview. No dedicated press council or local freedom-of-information procedure is identified in the available local information, so requests for records should be checked with the relevant public body or publication. Broadcasting services require formal licensing and frequency authorisation. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) handles broadcast and telecommunications licences, frequencies, equipment type approval and complaints, within the wider regional framework involving ECTEL. The Telecommunications Act covers cable, terrestrial, satellite and other electronic delivery of broadcast content. The published NTRC schedule lists $500 application, initial and annual fees for certain class licences, $100 for each application, initial and annual fee for Community FM, $500 plus $2,000 annually for FM frequency authorisation, and $500 plus $3,000 annually for television frequency authorisation. Subscriber television network and service fees are listed as $0; the schedule does not identify the currency or publish a decision deadline. Streaming access depends on the provider, internet or television contract, network coverage, electricity, compatible equipment and cost. DBS and Q95FM provide audio or video streams, and subscriber television networks and services can be licensed. Social media is mainly platform-mediated: media companies, GIS, public bodies and campaigns use social channels, comments, live streams and call-in programmes for public engagement. NTRC regulates the underlying telecommunications and frequency services, not the editorial content of ordinary user posts, while platform rules govern accounts, content and minimum ages. No local platform-specific regulator or age threshold is identified in the available local material. Media use is subject to rights and limits. Section 10 of the Constitution protects freedom of expression, information and communication, while allowing restrictions connected with defence, public safety, public order, morality, health, reputation, privacy, confidential information, court authority and judicial independence, as well as technical regulation of telephone, wireless broadcasting and television services. The Copyright Act 2003 protects literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, sound recordings, films, broadcasts and cable programmes. Copying, recording, publishing or redistributing material without the required permission can therefore create copyright, privacy or reputation risks. Online safety guidance from the Dominica Library and Information Service (DLIS) recommends involving parents, guardians, teachers and libraries, protecting personal data, passwords, photographs and videos, following platform minimum-age rules, and checking and citing sources. The Ministry of Education provides online-safety material and digital-literacy teacher training connected with the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC). The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has also used workshops, school outreach, public-service announcements, social engagement and community forums for cybersecurity and cybercrime awareness. No specific child-online-protection law or dedicated agency is identified in the available profile, so the current legal position should be verified before relying on a particular safeguard. People can participate through radio talk shows and call-ins, online comments, live streams, social channels, public campaigns and GIS information services. Parliamentary sessions can be broadcast live through GIS and DBS. Participation remains subject to constitutional limits, copyright law, the Telecommunications Act and the terms of the relevant platform.