Media assets

Television: RTB Perdana, RTB Aneka, RTB Sukmaindera

Radio: National FM, Pilihan FM, Pelangi FM, Harmoni FM, Nur Islam FM

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

RTB operates as a fully state-owned enterprise. Historically overseen by the Ministry of Information, the broadcaster has since been brought under the direct jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), following a ministerial restructuring. RTB’s governance structure reflects a top-down model, with budgetary allocations and strategic oversight managed by the PMO, which continues to exert full operational and editorial control.

Current Acting Director of RTB is Pengiran Ismail Pengiran Muhammad Kifli, according to RTB information.

Source of funding and budget

RTB is financed entirely through government appropriations, with its budget directly allocated by the Prime Minister’s Office. In the 2019–2020 fiscal year, RTB received BND 41.3 million (approximately USD 30 million) in state funding. No subsequent public budget figures have been officially released for the 2021–2025 period. As of June 2025, RTB remains wholly reliant on public funding, with no reported diversification into commercial revenue streams or advertising.

Editorial independence

RTB functions explicitly as a state-run broadcaster, with its editorial line closely aligned with the government’s communication strategy. All editorial decisions are subject to approval and oversight by the Prime Minister’s Office, reinforcing the broadcaster’s role as an instrument of official state messaging. RTB’s official mandate includes aims such as “upholding the image of a caring and effective government” and “strengthening connections between the government and the people”—objectives that underscore its function as a state propaganda outlet rather than an independent journalistic institution.

To date, no statutory guarantees or independent oversight mechanisms have been identified that would protect RTB’s editorial autonomy. The absence of such safeguards continues to raise questions among regional media analysts regarding the potential for reform or the introduction of public interest obligations.

July 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Borneo Bulletin, Media Permata

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd. operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the QAF Group of Companies—a major Brunei-based conglomerate with investments spanning automotive services, food retail, manufacturing, and marketing. According to interviews with regional media experts conducted in May 2024, the QAF Group is ultimately majority-owned by the Bruneian state through the Sultan’s family holdings, indicating significant state influence at the corporate level. Although the company is formally private, its ownership structure places it firmly within the orbit of state-affiliated economic interests.

Source of funding and budget

Brunei Press sustains operations through a hybrid funding model. In addition to commercial advertising revenue—primarily from state-linked corporations and private businesses—the company benefits from indirect and direct forms of state support. These include government advertising placements and discretionary grants. Despite the absence of transparent financial disclosures, estimates provided by regional experts in 2024 suggest that more than half of Brunei Press’s operating budget is underwritten by state funds. This level of dependency reinforces the perception of institutional proximity to the government.

Editorial independence

Editorially, Brunei Press publications are widely perceived as extensions of official government communication. The tone and content of both Borneo Bulletin and Media Permata consistently reflect pro-government narratives, with little room for critical reporting or investigative journalism. Significant space is routinely allocated to coverage of royal functions, official announcements, and favourable portrayals of state initiatives.

There is currently no independent oversight body or regulatory framework in Brunei to safeguard the editorial autonomy of state-affiliated or private media outlets. As of June 2025, no significant reforms have been introduced to enhance media transparency or press freedom in the country. This absence of institutional safeguards continues to reinforce a tightly controlled media environment.

July 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Pelita Brunei

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Pelita Brunei is operated under the auspices of the Information Department, which falls within the Prime Minister’s Office. According to official government disclosures, the publication remains tightly embedded within the state apparatus and is overseen by public sector information officers appointed by the department. This institutional setup reflects the newspaper’s status as a state-run publication rather than an autonomous journalistic entity.

Source of funding and budget

As of May 2025, information provided by Bruneian authorities and corroborated by regional media observers confirms that Pelita Brunei is entirely funded by the Brunei government. The newspaper does not rely on commercial advertising or subscription revenues and operates as a publicly financed communication organ. No independent financial disclosures regarding the paper’s annual budget or spending allocations are publicly available.

Editorial independence

Pelita Brunei functions primarily as an official mouthpiece of the Brunei government, with its editorial line closely aligned with state priorities and policies. Its content primarily comprises speeches by the Sultan, government policy announcements, civil service updates, and national achievements framed through an official lens.

To date, no independent statutory authority or regulatory mechanism exists to assess or ensure the editorial independence of the publication. Consequently, its editorial stance reflects the priorities of the executive branch rather than diverse or oppositional perspectives.

July 2025