The chiefs wield considerable traditional authority, and there are often tensions between the chiefs and political leaders. The government respects freedom of speech and of the press. There are both government and private newspapers, although the state-run radio and television broadcast services are the primary source of news and information. There is also a private cable television system with widespread coverage. Freedom of religion exists in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Freedom of association is respected, although no active employee organizations currently exist.
There is an independent special prosecutor and independent public defender system. In late 1998, the Ministry of Justice reported that a shortage of government prosecutors has resulted in a large backlog of civil and criminal cases awaiting action. Local police are under direct civilian control. However, foreign residents have reported that law enforcement officials do not investigate crimes against non-Palauans as thoroughly as crimes against citizens. Foreign nationals comprise nearly half the labor force and face discrimination in employment and education, as well as random violence.