Media assets

Radio: Radio Nacional TGW

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Radio TGW operates as a state-owned media entity under government oversight. As stipulated in Article 7 of the Law on Radiocommunications, the coordination of all state-administered broadcasting outlets falls under the purview of the General Directorate for National Radio and Television of Guatemala, which functions as a subordinate agency of the Ministry of Communications. The captain steering the station, its director, is handpicked by the presidential administration.

Source of funding and budget

As outlined in the station’s 2023 annual report, TGW operated on a yearly budget of GTQ 15.4m (roughly US$ 1.9m), the lion’s share of which is sourced from government funds. This financial support is distributed via the General Directorate for National Radio and Television. Due to regulatory restrictions, the station is prohibited from running advertisements. Among all state-managed media in Guatemala, TGW claims the largest slice of the public funding pie.

Editorial independence

The content policy at Radio Nacional TGW is shaped by directives from the Ministry of Communications. The station’s journalistic reporting operates as a mouthpiece for pure propaganda, showcasing unwavering support for the President and spotlighting the administration’s professed dedication to its citizens’ welfare.

A review of TGW’s coverage conducted in April and May 2023 did not flag a single instance of governmental critique or dissent. Legal frameworks solidify the government’s authority to steer the station’s editorial priorities, with a decree dating back to 2019 stipulating the nature of its relationship with official media in Articles 39 and 40, specifically addressing TGW. Rather than safeguarding editorial autonomy, these provisions place state media squarely under governmental control. Moreover, no domestic legislation exists to uphold the independent operation of TGW’s editorial process, leaving it wholly ensnared by state directives.

April 2025

Rebranded as TV Maya, the channel has since taken on the mantle of a multicultural broadcaster, serving as a voice for indigenous identities across the nation. Despite its mission, TV Maya has weathered significant financial storms in recent years.

Media assets

Television: Canal 5 TV Maya

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded (ISF)

Ownership and governance

The station operates entirely under the stewardship of the Academy of Maya Languages, with its governance entrusted to a board of directors that is refreshed every four years by the academy itself.

While it benefits from state funding, the station retains its independence owing to the academy’s autonomous status. However, given the relatively modest financial support channeled through the academy, TV Maya struggles to broaden its reach, operating on a very tight leash.

Source of funding and budget

TV Maya operates entirely on government funding and is prohibited by law from broadcasting advertisements. As per the most recent reports available from the channel, its annual budget in 2017 amounted to GTQ 1.5m—equivalent to under US$ 200,000.

Editorial independence

TV Maya operates free from government interference regarding its content. Its journalistic analyses published on its YouTube channel are characterized by critical commentary on a range of issues.

The station’s editorial autonomy is safeguarded, as it is managed not by the government directly, but by an autonomous state body established through legislation and a government decree.

However, the most recent research revealed no independent evaluations or oversight mechanisms in place to protect TV Maya’s editorial independence.

April 2025

Media assets

Television: Canal de Gobierno

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Canal de Gobierno operates entirely under the auspices of the presidential office, with its management falling squarely within the purview of the Secretariat for Social Communication. As an extension of the government, it is inherently overseen by the president’s administration.

Source of funding and budget

Up-to-date details regarding the funding allocated by the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency to the channel remain scarce. Local journalists contend that the station operates entirely on government backing. During its inaugural year, it was granted GTQ 59m (approximately US$ 7.4m), enough to keep the wheels turning.

Editorial independence

The station’s content is under the government’s watchful eye, predominantly showcasing interviews with officials from various branches of the presidential office and government representatives. Its primary purpose is to broadcast and amplify information about the government, placing significant emphasis on the president’s official communications and his administration’s key messages.

Notably, no national legislation or impartial oversight mechanism has been recognized to ensure the editorial independence of the station, leaving its impartiality an open question.

April 2025

Media assets

Television: Canal 9 del Congreso

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

Canal 9 operates under the purview of the Directorate of Social Communication and Public Relations of the Guatemalan Congress, functioning specifically as part of the Television Department within this division.

Source of funding and budget

A comprehensive breakdown of Canal 9’s budget remains elusive, as its funding is woven into the overall expenditure of Congress.

Editorial independence

The Directorate for Social Communication and Public Relations of the Guatemalan Congress oversees the channel’s programming. Beyond airing parliamentary sessions, the channel produces a collection of newscasts with a strong emphasis on the activities of the legislature. Several of its programs are made accessible online as well.

However, no domestic legislation or independent oversight framework appears to exist to substantiate the station’s editorial independence.

April 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Diario de Centro América

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

The newspaper is overseen by the Ministry of Interior, which sets the parameters for its functioning. As per details furnished by the ministry, it holds the reins in appointing the director and editorial team of the publication.

Source of funding and budget

In 2020, the Diario de Centro América drew the majority of its funding—amounting to GTQ 69.8m (US$ 9m)—from the state budget, as stated in the most recent annual report by the company. Additionally, the newspaper’s role in publishing various official documents from state authorities beyond the central government is underwritten by the respective institutions, whose contributions further bolster the outlet’s financial coffers.

Editorial independence

The government exerts full authority over the editorial content of Diario de Centro América. An informal analysis led by Media and Journalism Research Center’s regional experts in April 2023 unveiled a pronounced bias in the newspaper’s reporting, which overwhelmingly aims to bolster the image of the president and his administration.

A significant share of its stories spotlights the government’s virtues, with news articles and opinion pieces heavily concentrated on showcasing the administration’s alleged “successes.” Despite the newspaper operating under a defined set of rules, developed by the Ministry of Interior, none of these regulations are intended to safeguard its editorial independence.

Furthermore, no domestic laws, independent evaluations, or oversight mechanisms have been identified to authenticate the publication’s neutrality or journalistic autonomy.

April 2025

Media assets

News agency: AGN

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

As highlighted by local journalists and experts consulted in May 2024, the Agencia Guatemalteca de Noticias (AGN) operates solely under the auspices of the Secretariat for Social Communication within the Presidential Administration. Alongside TGW radio station and Diario de Centro América, AGN is entirely under the Guatemalan government’s thumb. At the helm of AGN is Francis Masek, a staff member of the aforementioned Secretariat, who serves as its director.

Source of funding and budget

The budget for AGN is overseen by the Secretariat for Social Communication within the Presidential Administration. Based on insights from local journalists and experts consulted for this report in May 2024, the agency is said to operate with an annual allocation of roughly GTQ 40m (approximately US$ 5m).

Editorial independence

Under the firm grip of government oversight, AGN’s editorial agenda is geared towards broadcasting and championing the administration’s initiatives, programs, and strategic objectives. The government wields absolute authority over the organization’s content.

Notably, no domestic legislation, independent evaluation, or governance framework has been uncovered to ascertain AGN’s editorial independence.

April 2025

Media assets

Television: TV USAC

Radio: Radio Universidad

Removed in 2025 as link with the state could not be established anymore.

April 2025