A Fri Wortu, The Free Word

Free speech (Fri Wortu) is not common in Surinam. Sylvana van den Braak shows how, after the military coup in the 1980s, a period began of censorship and dictatorship. Despite democratic elections, the government is still trying, in his own special way, to influence the media. The business community agrees with it. Besides that the small community of Surinam and the relationships pave the way for self-censorship. The truth can only be heard on the street, where the local language Sranan is spoken. Dutch is the language of government and business, and these are not to be trusted. The journalist can make the difference, but journalism has to go a long way when it comes to inform the people correctly.

A publication of the Eva Tas Foundation.

The Eva Tas Foundation encourages publication and promotion of texts that are, no matter where and no matter how, subject to censorship.