A recent report from the U.S. Department of State raises significant concerns regarding media access and harassment in Seychelles. The 2024 Human Rights Report on Seychelles underscores that while the country ostensibly upholds constitutional guarantees of free expression, serious issues surrounding media harassment and restricted access for certain journalists persist.
The report, published in 2025 by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, acknowledges that Seychelles maintains a functioning democratic system and an independent press environment. It states unequivocally that there were no credible reports of major human rights abuses last year. However, it also highlights alarming instances of journalists facing harassment and restrictions that cast doubt on the true state of media freedom in the nation.
Despite constitutional protections for freedom of expression, including for the press, the report reveals troubling legal provisions that empower the Minister for Information Technology to prohibit the broadcast of content deemed “against the national interest” or “objectionable.” Telecommunication companies are also mandated to provide subscriber information to the government upon request. Such sweeping powers grant the executive branch excessive discretion to restrict media operations under the guise of national security or public order—though no instances of this authority being misused were documented in 2024.
The report draws attention to the case of journalist Ralph Volcere, charged with criminal trespass for photographing cargo belonging to the royal family of the United Arab Emirates at the national airline’s premises. This cargo had reportedly arrived without inspection. While authorities accused Volcere of unauthorised entry into a restricted area, media organisations argue that his actions fell well within the realm of investigative journalism. As of the report’s conclusion, the case remains unresolved.
Furthermore, the government imposed a ban on The Seychelles Independent’s staff, the newspaper led by Volcere, from attending presidential press events. Officials claim this restriction stems from what they label as the publication’s “irresponsible reporting.”
Though the report does not cite instances of physical violence against journalists, it warns of harassment and intimidation faced by reporters as a result of their work. The Association of Media Practitioners Seychelles (AMPS) indicates that while journalists generally operate freely, they do encounter verbal attacks and political pressure that could skew their reporting.
Importantly, the State Department found no documented cases of arbitrary detentions or media outlet closures. However, the pervasive atmosphere of official criticism is likely to stifle investigative reporting on sensitive issues.
In a related development, the report emphasises the historical passage of amendments recognising hate crimes by the National Assembly on September 18. This new law classifies hate speech as a criminal offence and identifies “hate” as an aggravating factor in other crimes. Although not directly linked to press freedoms, this legislation may have implications for how hate speech is addressed in media content. As noted, there were no known prosecutions under these new provisions at the time of the report’s release.
Overall, while the judiciary and electoral system in Seychelles operate with independence, the report starkly highlights the government’s legal authority to limit content deemed detrimental to national interests, reinforcing the necessity for vigilance in safeguarding press freedom.
In summary, the report affirms that freedom of the press in Seychelles is largely upheld, but individual journalists are not immune to challenges arising from government criticism and selective access to information. The U.S. Department of State’s annual human rights report paints a complex yet stable picture of Seychelles—a nation where democratic institutions remain intact, and journalists generally enjoy freedom, although not without facing undue pressure.
SOURCE: SIN
