A distinguishing feature of Cape Verde is the absence of attacks on journalists and the exceptional media freedom, which is guaranteed by the constitution. The most recent defamation suit was in 2002. Many of the country’s media, including TCV (the main TV channel) and Radio Nacional de Cabo Verde, are state-owned and their directors are appointed by the government. Their content is not controlled but self-censorship is widely practiced. RTC, the main public media group, is trying to impose a code of ethics and conduct on its journalists with various clauses limiting their freedom of expression on social networks. The development of privately-owned media is held back by the limited income available from advertising and by the lack of state subsidies for broadcast media. The archipelago’s geography hampers print media distribution and broadcasting to all ten islands.