Media assets

Television: TPA1, TPA2, TPA International

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

TPA is a state-owned enterprise under the direct authority of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication. Its governance is vested in a Board of Directors, composed of seven members appointed by presidential decree. Despite being nominally autonomous, the broadcaster remains closely aligned with executive power, both structurally and editorially.

The official Director-general (CEO) of Televisão Pública de Angola (TPA), according to the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS), is Francisco José Mendes

Source of funding and budget

TPA is heavily reliant on public funding. In 2020, the broadcaster’s budget stood at AOA 11.6 billion (approx. US$ 19.5 million), with the government contributing roughly 87% (AOA 9.8 billion). In subsequent years, state subsidies remained substantial:

• 2021: AOA 9.4 billion (US$ 15.2 million)
• 2022: AOA 10.65 billion (US$ 24.3 million), the largest state subsidy granted to any public company that year.

Budget figures for 2023 and 2024 have not been officially released, but local media experts report that the pattern of overwhelming state support has remained unchanged.

Editorial independence

Although there are no explicit legal provisions mandating editorial alignment with government interests, de facto political influence pervades TPA’s newsroom operations. The broadcaster has long been accused of toeing the government line, with content overwhelmingly skewed toward amplifying official narratives.

In 2021, a leaked internal memo written by a TPA journalist alleged that coverage of opposition parties was systematically suppressed. More recently, a media monitoring report published by a Luanda-based NGO in June 2024 confirmed that TPA—alongside other state-run outlets—dedicates a disproportionate share of airtime to government activities while marginalizing dissenting voices.

There is no statute safeguarding editorial independence, nor does an independent regulatory body exist to monitor TPA’s content or uphold journalistic standards. Critics argue that the broadcaster functions more as a government mouthpiecethan a public service entity.

June 2025

Media assets

Radio: National-Canal A, Ngola Yetu, Rádio Cinco, Online and Cultura; Local- 28 stations

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

RNA is a government-owned entity operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication. Its strategic direction is set by a Board of Directors composed of seven members, all appointed by the President of Angola. The broadcaster is effectively integrated into the state’s communication apparatus, and its governance reflects the centralized control typical of Angola’s public media system.

Source of funding and budget

RNA relies overwhelmingly on state subsidies for its operations, with commercial revenue from advertising representing only a modest portion of its income. Key funding data include:

In 2022, the government allocated an additional $40 million for RNA’s modernization, including the expansion of coverage and digital infrastructure upgrades. While no official 2023–2024 figures have been released, funding has reportedly remained stable and substantial.

Editorial independence

Although no explicit legal directive requires RNA to broadcast government-aligned content, the broadcaster’s editorial agenda is heavily influenced by the state. According to a 2024 content analysis conducted for this project, RNA’s coverage overwhelmingly prioritizes government messaging, with minimal representation of opposition voices or critical perspectives.

There is no existing legal framework or independent mechanism to safeguard RNA’s editorial autonomy. This lack of oversight, coupled with direct government involvement in management, has long raised concerns among press freedom advocates.

June 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Jornal de Angola, Jornal dos Desportos, Jornal de Economia & Finanças, Jornal Cultura, Jornal Metopolitano Luanda, Jornal Planalto, Jornal Ventos do Sul

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Edições Novembro was established following the nationalization of Empresa Gráfica de Angola through Law No. 51/1976, part of a broader wave of post-independence state takeovers. It is legally recognized as a public enterprise with juridical personality, operating under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication. The President of the Republic appoints its Board of Directors, which functions as the company’s highest governing authority.

The current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Edições Novembrois Onore Sebastião. In mid-2025, President João Lourenço issued a decree appointing Drumond Alcides Jaime Mafuta as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors (PCA) of Edições Novembro, along with Joaquim Pedro Zua Quicuca and Cândido Bessa Receado to executive roles in programming and technical areas.

Despite its formal autonomy, the company remains firmly under state control in both structure and strategic direction.

Source of funding and budget

Edições Novembro derives revenue from newsstand sales and advertising, but these commercial streams represent only a small slice of its budget. The lion’s share of funding comes via government subsidies.

• In 2019, the company reported AOA 6.1 billion (US$ 10.2 million) in operating income—87% funded by the state.
• From 2020 to 2022, it received AOA 17.03 billion (approx. US$ 39 million) in state subsidies, making it the third-largest beneficiary of public media funding after TPA (TV) and RNA (radio).
• In 2022, Edições Novembro posted net earnings of AOA 1.14 billion (US$ 2.6 million), allowing it to repay a debt of AOA 3 billion owed to the country’s internal security agency.

Despite this brief financial reprieve, the company has faced persistent challenges:

• Between 2020 and 2023, it implemented sweeping cost-cutting measures, including a downsizing of staff from 1,160 to 973 employees.

No official financial reports have been made public for 2023 or the first half of 2025, making it difficult to assess the company’s current fiscal health.

The group continues to place increasing emphasis on digital platforms and advertising revenue, reinforcing earlier statements by then-PCA Drumond Jaime about the shift toward online content and modernization

Editorial independence

Although no explicit laws dictate the editorial stance of Edições Novembro’s publications, de facto government influence remains strong. Local journalists and media experts consulted for this project in May 2024 and April 2025 confirmed that the company’s editorial line largely reflects official positions.

A 2024 content analysis carried out for this project found a consistent pattern of pro-government bias, with critical or opposition perspectives largely absent. Coverage tends to focus heavily on presidential activities, MPLA party initiatives, and government policy, echoing the editorial tone of state broadcasters.

There is currently no statute, independent oversight body, or institutional safeguard to ensure or assess the editorial independence of Edições Novembro.

June 2025

Media assets

News agency: ANGOP

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

ANGOP is a state-owned enterprise, operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication. The agency’s highest governing body is a seven-member Board of Directors, appointed by the President of the Republic. This governance model reinforces the agency’s subordination to executive authority, with minimal safeguards in place to ensure institutional independence.

Source of funding and budget

ANGOP is heavily reliant on public funding, with state subsidies accounting for the overwhelming majority of its operational income.

No public financial disclosures have been made for 2023 or 2024, though budgetary trends suggest that reliance on state funds remains unchanged.

In 2020, ANGOP operated on a budget of AOA 3.4 billion (approx. US$ 5.7 million), with 99% of that figure derived from the state budget.

Between 2020 and 2022, the agency received a total of AOA 11.22 billion (US$ 25 million at 2022 exchange rates), making it the fourth-largest recipient of government media funding, behind TPA (television), RNA (radio), and Edições Novembro (print).

Editorial independence

While no legal framework compels ANGOP to adopt a pro-government editorial line, its output is de facto aligned with official narratives. Multiple journalists and media experts consulted for this project in May 2024 and April 2025 confirmed that ANGOP routinely prioritizes government messaging and marginalizes dissenting or oppositional voices.

A 2024 content analysis revealed a systematic bias in favor of state institutions, with a strong emphasis on presidential activities, party statements, and public-sector achievements. Investigative reporting and coverage of civil society are either minimal or absent.

To date, no statute, regulatory mechanism, or independent body exists to monitor or ensure the editorial autonomy of ANGOP.

June 2025

Media assets

Television: TV Zimbo

Radio: Radio Mais

Print: O Pais, Exame

State Media Matrix Typology

Captured Public/State-Managed (CaPu)

Ownership and governance

Originally a privately held company, Medianova was co-owned by influential figures, including high-ranking military officials and a former vice president. In July 2020, Angola’s Attorney General’s Office (PGR) formally transferred control of Medianova’s assets to the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, arguing that the media group had been established using public funds.

Since the state takeover, Medianova has been managed as a state-administered entity, and its inclusion in public databases has reflected this shift. Although several investors have expressed interest in acquiring parts of the group, no successful privatization has yet occurred.

In August 2023, the Angolan government announced its intention to reprivatize the group, but to date, no formal tender, buyer shortlist, or timeline has been made public. According to local journalists interviewed for this report, even if reprivatization takes place, there is widespread skepticism about whether the outlets will truly regain editorial autonomy, given the legacy of political influence.

Source of funding and budget

Historically, Grupo Medianova was financed primarily through commercial revenue, including advertising and private partnerships. However, following the 2020 takeover, the company began to receive direct government subsidies.

In 2022, Medianova received its first reported public subsidy of AOA 1.3 billion (approx. US$ 2.9 million), according to budget documents consulted for this report.

Subsequent budget allocations for 2023 and 2024 remain undisclosed. However, insiders suggest the group’s reliance on state support has increased rather than diminished, particularly in light of Angola’s challenging media market.

Editorial independence

The nationalization of Grupo Medianova triggered a wave of concern among journalists, editors, and media watchdogs. Fears of government interference in editorial decisions quickly materialized into concrete allegations.

Since 2020, numerous reports have surfaced accusing the government of censoring politically sensitive stories, especially those involving the ruling MPLA party; promoting pro-government narratives through news bulletins and opinion columns; and reorganizing editorial teams to align with state communication priorities.

There is no statute, independent oversight body, or evaluation mechanism in place to guarantee the editorial independence of Grupo Medianova’s outlets.

June 2025