While there are no independent local stations, there are no laws forbidding them. The Voice of America, Radio International Portugal, and Radio France International rebroadcast locally. The law grants all opposition parties access to the state-run media, including a minimum of 3 minutes per month on television. All parties freely distribute newsletters and press releases giving their views and criticizing the Government, the President, and one another. There were no reports of government censorship or threats of censorship from any group, nor any reports of efforts by national security forces to suppress criticism.
Academic freedom is respected.
The Constitution provides for these rights, and the Government respects them in practice. The Government requires that requests for authorization for large-scale events be filed 48 hours in advance and usually grants the appropriate permits. The Constitution provides for religious freedom, and the Government respects this right in practice. There are no restrictions on the activities of foreign clergy. The Constitution provides for these rights and the Government respects them in practice.