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Entity Type: Domestic State-Affiliated Media

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation

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Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), operating as Radio Pakistan, serves as Pakistan’s largest state media network under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with approximately 80 broadcasting units housed in 32 broadcasting houses across the country. The corporation reaches 96 percent of Pakistan’s population and covers 90 percent of the nation’s territory through its extensive AM, SW, and FM stations, broadcasting in 29 national, regional, local and foreign languages with 119 daily news bulletins totaling 684 minutes. Established under the PBC Act-1973, the network functions as the government’s primary medium for disseminating policy initiatives while promoting Pakistan as a progressive Islamic democracy. PBC maintains significant digital presence with over 2.5 million Facebook followers, active Twitter and Instagram accounts, and a YouTube channel, positioning itself as the “Voice of Pakistan” both domestically and internationally.

Tanjug News Agency

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Tanjug News Agency, founded on November 5, 1943, as Yugoslavia’s official state news agency, operated under government control until 2015 when authorities announced its closure and officially stopped funding it. Despite this announcement, the agency continued functioning in what it is described as a “legal vacuum” with funds from undisclosed sources. In 2021, the Belgrade-based private company Tacno acquired rights to Tanjug’s intellectual property and trademarks for a 10-year period. Tacno is owned by Radoica Milosavljevic of RTV Pancevo, characterized as “an openly pro-government station,” and Minacord Media. Local journalists interviewed in 2023 and 2024 claimed the government continued financing aspects of the agency’s operations despite denials from both Tanjug and state authorities. Critics characterized the agency as “notorious for its government-supportive content,” with its editorial policy reportedly unchanged following privatization.

SPH Media Trust

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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.

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.