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Newspapers and media of the Guadeloupe archipelago
Guadeloupe gets its news from France-Antilles, RCI radio, Guadeloupe La 1ère and Canal 10, as well as from websites such as Karib'Info, News Antilles or EWAG, in French and Guadeloupean Creole, almost all of them available online.
From Pointe-à-Pitre gazettes to France-Antilles
The first Guadeloupean newspapers appeared under the Ancien Régime and multiplied after the abolition of slavery in 1848. In the twentieth century, France-Antilles, launched in 1964, became the leading daily of the French Antilles before running into serious financial trouble around 2020.
What role for print today?
France-Antilles Guadeloupe remains the main general-interest title, focused on the municipalities, the courts and sport. Print is complemented by magazines and campaigning opinion papers, often linked to the trade union or pro-independence movement, which appear less regularly.
Writing and speaking Guadeloupean Creole
French is the language of print, but Guadeloupean Creole dominates radio, debates and comedy. Since the general strike led by the LKP in 2009, slogans and columns in Creole have become more visible in the media and on social networks.
Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre and the outer islands
Newsrooms cover Pointe-à-Pitre and Les Abymes, the economic hub, and Basse-Terre, seat of the prefecture, but also Marie-Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade. Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, separate territories since 2007, now have their own local papers and radio stations.
Karib'Info, News Antilles and EWAG
Several news websites have emerged with the spread of smartphones. Karib'Info and News Antilles publish briefs and crime news, while EWAG mixes current affairs, culture and short videos. Newsrooms also share a great deal through Facebook, which is heavily used in the archipelago.
Wire stories and official sources
Guadeloupe has no news agency of its own. The media rely on Agence France-Presse, which is present in the Antilles, and on statements from the prefecture, the regional council, the departmental council and the regional health agency.
RCI, Guadeloupe La 1ère and Canal 10
Radio Caraïbes Internationale, which broadcasts in Guadeloupe and Martinique, remains an essential station. Guadeloupe La 1ère, part of the France Télévisions group, offers television, radio and a news website. Canal 10, a private local channel, airs debates and magazine programmes.
The Guadeloupean diaspora in mainland France
A large community lives in the Paris region. It follows the archipelago through franceinfo's La 1ère portal, Outremers360 and the overseas territories press, as well as RCI's live stream, heavily listened to during strikes, cyclones and elections.
Chlordecone, living costs and the Route du Rhum
Economic news covers the high cost of living, bananas, tourism, drinking water and chlordecone pollution. Sport takes up plenty of space: the Tour de Guadeloupe cycle race, the Route du Rhum finish in Pointe-à-Pitre and Guadeloupean athletes on French national teams.
A free press amid social tension
France's 1881 law guarantees press freedom and Arcom regulates broadcasting. Major protests, such as those of 2009 or of 2021 over compulsory vaccination, nonetheless expose local journalists to tension and to accusations of bias.
Looking to the neighbouring Caribbean
For a broader view, read the Martinique press, which shares many topics with Guadeloupe, and the Haitian press, another Creole-speaking part of the Caribbean. Media on nearby Dominica are mostly in English.
Free content, subscriptions and fact-checking
France-Antilles keeps part of its articles for subscribers, while Guadeloupe La 1ère and most websites remain free. When rumours spread about water shortages or power cuts, check with the prefecture and the official utility operators.
Following Guadeloupe news from abroad
- Read France-Antilles Guadeloupe for municipal and court news, then a site such as Karib'Info for the day's briefs.
- Listen to RCI live in the morning for debates in Creole and practical information.
- Watch the Guadeloupe La 1ère news on replay for in-depth stories and reports.
- Follow the Guadeloupe prefecture's accounts for cyclone, health and road alerts.
- Compare how a private radio station, the public broadcaster and an independent site cover a labour dispute.
- Check the date of any protest or cyclone video before sharing it.
Guadeloupe media: how to access them
| Type of outlet | Access | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| France-Antilles Guadeloupe | Mixed | Paid digital subscription, variable price |
| Guadeloupe La 1ère | Free | Public service live and replay |
| RCI | Free | Live streaming online and in the app |
| Karib'Info, News Antilles, EWAG | Free | Funded by advertising |
| Canal 10 | Free | Local programmes available online |
Guadeloupe at a glance
- Languages: French and Guadeloupean Creole
- Main daily: France-Antilles Guadeloupe
- Reference radio: RCI
- Public broadcaster: Guadeloupe La 1ère
- Time zone: UTC-4, no daylight saving
- Currency: euro
- Capital: Basse-Terre; economic hub: Pointe-à-Pitre
What to avoid when reading the local press
- Confusing news from Saint-Martin or Saint-Barthélemy with Guadeloupe news, when those islands have their own institutions.
- Taking an open-line radio show, where anyone speaks unchallenged, for a verified investigation.
- Sharing an old image of a cyclone or a roadblock as if it were a current event.
- Using a website that claims to bypass paywalls, since it may serve altered or malicious content.
- Treating a campaigning paper as neutral media without considering its political or trade union commitment.
Common questions about Guadeloupe's media
Is France-Antilles still published in Guadeloupe?
Yes, the title still exists with a Guadeloupe edition and a website, after a period of financial difficulty and a takeover around 2020. Its frequency and format have changed, so it is worth checking the current digital offer.
Which radio station helps me understand local opinion?
RCI is the most frequently cited station, with its debates and listener calls. Guadeloupe La 1ère radio provides public-service news. Community stations also give a voice to trade unions and cultural associations.
Do Guadeloupe's media cover Saint-Martin?
They do during major events, such as after Hurricane Irma in 2017, but Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy have their own local titles. For regular coverage, it is better to go straight to those island outlets.
Can I watch Guadeloupe La 1ère from Paris?
Yes, you can stream it live or on replay through franceinfo's La 1ère portal and the France Télévisions app. The time difference is five or six hours depending on the season, which matters when watching live.