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Seychelles newspapers and news online
In Seychelles, news is read in English, French and Seychellois Creole: the daily Seychelles Nation, the public broadcaster SBC, the Seychelles News Agency and a few political weeklies from Victoria are all available online, mostly free of charge.
A press on an archipelago scale
With around a hundred thousand inhabitants, mostly on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, Seychelles has a compact media landscape centred on Victoria. Since independence in 1976, the press went through a long public monopoly, then the return of multiparty politics in 1993.
Seychelles Nation, the public daily
Seychelles Nation is the country's main daily, published by the state in Victoria. It covers government affairs, the National Assembly, education and the districts, with articles mostly in English and some in French and Creole for other readers.
Three official languages to master
Seychellois Creole, or Kreol Seselwa, English and French are all official languages. English dominates official writing and Creole dominates radio and conversation, while French appears in some articles, programmes and press releases aimed at French-speaking readers.
Weeklies and the political press
The People, linked to the United Seychelles party, and Seychelles Weekly, long close to the opposition, illustrate an opinion press rooted in party politics. Reading them helps make sense of debates over the 2020 change of power and Wavel Ramkalawan's presidency.
SBC, public radio and television
The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, or SBC, runs national television and several radio stations. Its news bulletins air in Creole, English and French, and its website publishes news articles along with video clips taken from the bulletins.
What does Seychelles News Agency offer?
Seychelles News Agency, the public agency launched in 2014, publishes dispatches on the economy, tourism, the marine environment and politics. Its English articles are often picked up by foreign media, making it a handy entry point for readers abroad.
Digital portals and Facebook pages
The digital offer remains modest: besides the Seychelles Nation and SBC websites, Facebook pages and news portals share local information, power cut notices and news from Praslin. Their reliability varies, so it is always worth tracing items back to the source.
Tourism, fishing and finance
The economy is read through tourism, tuna fishing at Port Victoria and the blue economy. Statements from the Central Bank of Seychelles, relayed by Seychelles Nation and SNA, shed light on the rupee, inflation and public finances.
Sport and the Island Games
Football, athletics and water sports fill the sports pages of Seychelles Nation and SBC bulletins. The Indian Ocean Island Games, bringing together Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Maldives, Réunion and Mayotte, are the most closely followed event.
Links across the Indian Ocean
To place Seychelles news in its region, compare it with the Mauritian press, the Malagasy press or the Réunion press, which regularly cover the Indian Ocean Commission, maritime security and air links.
Media Commission and pluralism
The Seychelles Media Commission oversees ethics and complaints, and media laws were revised after the 2020 change of government. Observers note improved pluralism, though public media continue to hold a strong position in the country's news landscape.
Verifying and cross-checking news
Seychelles media are generally free. Cross-check Seychelles Nation, SBC and an independent or regional source, then visit the African press page to easily find the other island nations and countries of the Indian Ocean.
How to follow Seychelles news from abroad
- Read Seychelles Nation every day for government news and updates from the districts.
- Add Seychelles News Agency for English dispatches that are easy to share and quote.
- Watch or listen to SBC bulletins online, including the French edition.
- Check The People and Seychelles Weekly to gauge the positions of the different political camps.
- Create alerts for Victoria, Mahé or Praslin to follow weather, transport and the economy.
- Check article dates, especially for announcements about flights, visas or health restrictions.
Access and subscriptions in Seychelles
| Media type | Access | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Seychelles Nation | Free website, print paper sold in Victoria | Print subscription, variable price |
| Seychelles News Agency | Free | Dispatches in English |
| SBC radio and television | Free live or on catch-up | Bulletins in three languages |
| Political weeklies | Variable online access | Publication may be irregular |
| News pages on social media | Free | Reliability needs checking |
Quick facts on Seychelles media
- Languages: Seychellois Creole, English and French
- Public agency: Seychelles News Agency (SNA)
- Public broadcaster: Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)
- Main daily: Seychelles Nation
- Time zone: UTC+4, no daylight saving
- Currency: Seychelles rupee (SCR)
Mistakes to avoid with the Seychelles press
- Treating a party weekly as a neutral outlet, when its editorial line reflects the positions of one political camp.
- Believing a rumour posted on a local Facebook page without confirmation from SBC, Seychelles Nation or the authorities.
- Confusing Seychelles with Mauritius or the Maldives in international dispatches about the Indian Ocean.
- Reading old entry or visa requirements shared online as if they were still in force.
- Ignoring articles in Creole, which sometimes contain local information missing from the English versions.
Questions about the Seychelles press
What is the main newspaper in Seychelles?
Seychelles Nation is the archipelago's daily of record, published by the state in Victoria. It runs articles in English, French and Creole, and its website lets you follow government, economic and sports news from abroad.
Can you follow Seychelles news in French?
Yes, in part. Seychelles Nation publishes articles in French, SBC broadcasts bulletins in the language and some official dispatches are translated. English is nonetheless essential for a full reading of the archipelago's press.
How can I watch Seychelles television online?
The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation puts part of its programming online, including TV news and radio shows, live or on catch-up. Availability can vary depending on broadcasting rights, particularly for international sports coverage.
Is there an opposition press in Seychelles?
Yes. Seychelles Weekly long carried the voice of the opposition, while The People remains linked to the United Seychelles party, itself in opposition since 2020. Reading both titles lets you compare viewpoints on national politics.