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Entity Type: Domestic State-Affiliated Media

Al Eqtisadiah

Al Eqtisadiah is a leading Saudi daily business newspaper established on December 1, 1992, by brothers Hisham Hafiz and Mohammad Hafiz. Currently published by Saudi Research and Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), the publication is often dubbed “The Financial Times of Saudi Arabia.” The newspaper provides comprehensive coverage of economic and business events at domestic, regional, and international levels, featuring translated articles from major global financial publications including the Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, and INSEAD. Its target readership includes business executives, academics, and government officials throughout Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. In 2024, Al Eqtisadiah underwent a significant transformation when SRMG approved a strategic partnership with Asharq Business with Bloomberg, creating one of the largest specialized economic media platforms in the region. Beyond its print edition, Al Eqtisadiah has expanded into broadcasting with Al Eqtisadiah TV, further cementing its position as a cornerstone of Saudi business media.

Radio Television Malaysia

Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Malaysia’s state broadcaster, was established on 1 April 1946 as Radio Malaya. Unlike independent public broadcasters like the BBC, RTM is a government department under the Ministry of Communications with no statutory independence. The broadcaster operates 7 television channels and 34 radio stations nationwide, including the over-the-top streaming service RTM Klik. RTM is now financed through an allocation from the state budget and generates revenue through the sale of advertising and sponsorship. The broadcaster has expanded international relationships through cooperation agreements with various state media organizations, including recent partnerships with China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台) for content exchange and co-production initiatives. As a government department operated by the Communications Ministry, RTM is responsible for providing support to government policies and for introducing and explaining these policies to the public.

Public Service Media Maldives

Public Service Media (PSM) is the state-owned broadcaster of Maldives established on April 28, 2015, under the Public Service Media Act (Law 9/2015). Operating as the official state media, PSM manages multiple brands, including Television Maldives (TVM), PSM News, YES TV, Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu, Dhivehi FM, Dheenuge Adu, Munnaaru TV, and PSM Connect. The organization emerged amid significant controversy when the International Federation of Journalists condemned its formation as creating a “state mouthpiece” that would undermine press freedom. PSM replaced the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (2012-2015), which had succeeded the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (2008-2012). The broadcaster states its mission is to “invigorate an informed, civilized and unified society” while being “shaped by Maldivian traditions, culture, ideology and values.”

Cameroon National Radio and Television

Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), established in 1987, is Cameroon’s government-controlled national broadcasting service. The company resulted from the merger of Cameroon Television (CTV) and the national radio service, with broadcasting roots dating back to 1940 when French authorities established Radio Douala. Today, CRTV maintains comprehensive coverage across all ten regions of Cameroon through one national radio channel, ten regional stations, seven local stations, and three television channels, including CRTV News and CRTV Sports & Entertainment. Under General Manager Charles Ndongo since 2016, the broadcaster operates primarily in French with some English programming, reflecting the country’s bilingual status. As a state-controlled broadcaster, CRTV operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Communication, with the President of the Republic appointing both the General Director and Board Chairperson, firmly anchoring the organization within the state apparatus with limited editorial autonomy.

National Broadcasting Corporation

The National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea (NBC PNG) is the country’s state-owned broadcaster, established December 1, 1973, and headquartered in Boroko, Port Moresby. The corporation operates two national radio stations—NBC Radio (90.7 FM and 585 AM) and Tribe 92FM (92.3 FM), which targets younger audiences—along with NBC TV, launched September 16, 2008. NBC is a member of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and maintains approximately 20 locations nationwide with 19 provincial radio stations. According to the Lowy Institute, NBC plays “a critical role in connecting and informing the nation, especially those citizens without access to other forms of communication,” though its transmission infrastructure has faced significant challenges. The broadcaster’s mission includes reflecting “the drive for national unity” and expressing “the culture, characteristics, affairs, opinions and needs of the people,” according to its official website.

Saudi Research and Publishing Company

Established in 1972, Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) is a state-backed media conglomerate headquartered in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. As Saudi Arabia’s largest publishing enterprise, SRMG operates over 30 publications with a combined monthly reach of 172 million readers across seven languages and four continents. The group’s portfolio includes prestigious titles like Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, Al Eqtisadiah, and Al Majalla. Originally established as Al Madina Printing and Publishing Company in 1963, the company was renamed Saudi Printing and Packaging Company in 2007. SRMG was listed on the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul) in May 2006. With close ties to the Saudi government, the company operates five divisions: media, international, events, research and polling, and innovation. In April 2022, SRMG announced its new headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The company recorded strong financial performance in 2023, with net profits declining 14% year-on-year to SAR 559.62 million but maintaining its dominant position in Middle Eastern media.

Vietnam Television

Vietnam Television, operating as VTV, is Vietnam’s national state broadcaster established in 1970 with Cuban assistance. Officially tasked with “propagating the views of the Party, policies, laws of the government,” VTV runs multiple channels including news, education, entertainment, and ethnic programming. The network has faced significant controversies, including criticism from Vietnamese emigrants for its pro-communist stance, copyright infringement resulting in its YouTube channel termination in 2016, and government fines for broadcasting false information. VTV maintains 17 international bureaus and produces programming through its film production company, Vietnam Television Film Centre.

Gazprom-Media Holding

Gazprom-Media Holding is one of Russia’s largest media conglomerates, controlling nearly 20 television and radio channels plus digital platforms. Key assets include flagship channel NTV, sports network Match TV, entertainment channel TNT, and digital platforms like Rutube and PREMIER. The company also operates extensive radio networks, including Energy and Autoradio. Classified as “Captured Public/State-Managed,” Gazprom Media maintains complex state control through Gazprombank ownership, ultimately tracing to entities close to President Putin. The company’s flagship channel, NTV, particularly faces backlash as an aggressive disinformation channel, systematically targeting EU diplomats and civil society.

TASS

TASS is Russia’s state-owned news agency, established in 1904 and wholly controlled by the Russian government as a Federal State Unitary Enterprise. The agency “claims” to publish “nearly 3,000 news items daily in six languages” and operate 70 offices in Russia and 59 branches globally. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, TASS was suspended from the European Alliance of News Agencies for “not being able to provide unbiased news,” and Getty Images terminated its partnership for editorial policy violations. TASS has been identified as a source of disinformation in Russian influence operations, spreading false claims about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy fleeing Kyiv and unsubstantiated allegations about Ukraine developing a nuclear “dirty bomb.” The agency frequently acts as a propaganda instrument for the Kremlin.