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Entity Type: Domestic State-Affiliated Media

SPH Media Trust

Written by CMP Staff on .

SPH Media Trust (SMT), short for Singapore Press Holdings Media Trust, is a Singapore public company limited by guarantee in the media sector, formed through the spin off in July 2021 of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) — the conglomerate formed in 1984 and running scores of newspapers and other media, including major dailies such as The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao. In February 2022, the government pledged nearly S$1 billion over a five-year period to support the digital modernization efforts of the group, which today is the parent entity of SPH Media Holdings Pte Ltd and SPH Media Limited, the latter being the company directly operating scores of media outlets in Singapore.

Presidential Broadcast Service

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The Presidential Broadcast Service, also known as the Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS), traces its origins to a U.S. military radio station established during World War II by the U.S. Office of War Information. This 50-watt portable station, call sign KZSO, operated from inside a U.S. Navy submarine before accompanying soldiers from the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) during the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, held by the Japanese, in January 1945. After operating from makeshift Manila facilities, the station was renamed KZFM and transferred to Philippine government control in September 1946. It became DZFM in 1952 following international telecommunications protocols. The entity expanded in the 1960s with provincial stations in Baguio, Cebu, and Davao. Abolished during martial law in 1972, it was resurrected as the Bureau of Broadcast in 1973. After merging with the National Media Production Center under the Office of Media Affairs in 1980, the current Bureau of Broadcast Services structure emerged following the 1986 EDSA Revolution. It was renamed Presidential Broadcast Service in 2023.

Liberia Broadcasting System

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Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) is Liberia’s primary state-owned media network, operating television channels LNTV and Metro TV alongside radio stations ELBC 99.9 FM and Metro 89.9. Established in 1960 under British management, LBS transitioned to full government control in 1968. Today, the network receives approximately 60-70% of its funding through state subsidies, with presidential appointees governing its operations and editorial direction. LBS also accepts funds from foreign governments like China, with officials noting they are “very pleased” with Chinese support for the construction of a modern studio at the network’s headquarters.

Al Eqtisadiah

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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.

Cameroon National Radio and Television

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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.

Saudi Research and Publishing Company

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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

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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

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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.

Notimex

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Notimex, formerly known as Agencia Mexicana de Noticias, was Mexico’s official state news agency until its dissolution in December 2023. Founded on August 20, 1968, to cover the Mexico City Olympics, the agency operated for over five decades under government ownership. The agency underwent reform in June 2006, changing its name and establishing what it described as “genuine editorial independence” through governance by a board with representatives from various state entities. Notimex ceased operations in June 2020 following a strike that began in February of that year. Sanjuana Martínez, appointed in March 2019, was the first woman to serve as Director-General before the Mexican Senate approved the agency’s “definitive closure” in December 2023.