A free but afraid press : a comparative study about limitations, challenges and possibilities for journalists operating in Dominica and Saint Lucia

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to study how journalists in two Caribbean countries, Dominica and Saint Lucia, see their profession in a developing country where freedom of the press is high but where restrictions also occur. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews we will ask thirteen local journalists in the aforementioned countries what they think about journalistic values and ask for their thoughts on the journalists´ role and responsibility in society. We will also ask them about what limitations there might be to accomplish these ideals. Since every country differs from another, our study will lean on normative theories, and the study will be based on Hallin and Mancini's work Comparing media systems (2004) and their three models of media. According to the respondents in Saint Lucia and Dominica, the main role for the journalists is to report accurate, balanced and fair stories to the audience so that they can make informed decisions in their everyday life. However, the respondents in both countries face challenges in fulfilling these ideals where in Dominica the main challenge is access to information that prevents the press to work on a free basis. In Saint Lucia the respondents state that main obstacles are the “red tape”, i.e., the problematic bureaucratic procedure, that journalists have to deal with when trying to get information, and also threats such as lawsuits and pulled advertisement - something that prevents them from producing free and independent journalism.