The Comoros islands have only one daily. In combination with a high illiteracy rate, the under-development of the printed press is due to a limited advertising market, widespread poverty and weak distribution networks.

Although the Comoros is a member of the Arab League and Arabic is the official language, the leading Comoran newspapers are published in French, the language of the old colonial power. France is still highly present as the island of Mayotte, a part of the archipelago which remained under French control after the rest of the island group obtained independence in 1975.

As in many African countries, radio is the dominant media. The state-owned radio network is the only one which covers all the islands and competes with regional and private radio stations. The Comoros has a weak national television and few private TV stations.

In spite of the positive democratic development since the latest presidential elections in 2006, which were internationally recognized as fair and free, the authorities have kept a tight grip on the media. Comoran journalists risk imprisonment, and oppositional newspapers have been suspended and radio stations vandalized. These acts have created a climate where newspapers exercise extensive self-censorship.

Language: French
Established: 1985
Published weekly

Al Watwan is a pro-governmental newspaper based on the Moroni island. It delivers sketchy news coverage and combines bluntly pro-government editorials with some pro-opposition articles.

Website: http://www.comores-online.com/al-watwan/index.htm