Media in Nicaragua

The current Nicaraguan Constitution provides for freedoms of both speech and press, which can be seen in the various pro-and anti-government positions taken by the print media.

There are three major daily newspapers in Nicaragua: La Prensa, Barricada and El Nuevo Diario. La Prensa is conservative and anti-Sandinista; Barricada was originally a Sandinista National Liberation Front (FLSN) newspaper but changed positions after publishing news of a FSLN inter-party disagreement; El Nuevo Diario is loyal to the FSLN party. 

Most citizens do not read the newspaper, relying instead on either one of the country's 10 television stations or 100 radio stations for news. (The Voice of Nicaragua is the name of the government radio station.)

Located in the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, the media depends on government advertising for monetary support. International critics have accused the media of falling prey to government propaganda.  

A few, very powerful Nicaraguan families maintain control over most of the media outlets. The Chamorro family runs the privately owned newspapers, while the Sacasa family controls the majority of the television industry.

Correos de Nicaragua is the national postal system and there are post offices located in almost every city. Mail going to Nicaragua usually arrives secure and on time; however, mail leaving the country does not have the same guaruntees. 

DHL and UPS also operate out of Nicaragua. Internet service was first established in Nicaragua during the mid-1990s and today internet cafés can be found in most major cities.

TELECOR, the national telephone service company, was privatized in 2003 and is now called ENITEL. Besides offering calling services, most ENITEL offices also have fax machines that can send faxes internationally. Publitel and Bell South are the two other major phone companies with pay phones and prepaid international calling cards in Nicaragua.