Media assets

Television: Bahrain TV, Bahrain International, Bahrain Sport 1, Bahrain Sport 2

Radio: Radio Bahrain, Bahrain FM, Bahrain Radio 96.5, Indian Radio

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

BRTC is wholly owned by the Government of Bahrain and operates under the jurisdiction of the Information Affairs Authority (IAA)—Bahrain’s official communications ministry. The IAA exercises complete administrative and editorial control over BRTC, including its organizational structure, staffing, and strategic direction. Senior leadership positions at BRTC are appointed by royal decree, underscoring the broadcaster’s firm alignment with the ruling establishment.

Insights from Bahraini media professionals and regional experts consulted for this report confirm that BRTC’s governance framework lacks institutional independence. The broadcaster functions as an extension of state policy, and decision-making remains highly centralized within the IAA.

Omar Khalifa Shaheen is the current Chief Executive Officer of Radio Bahrain Company, the radio arm of BRTC. He has held the role since around 2021 and continues to lead its modernization and digital transformation efforts.

Source of funding and budget

BRTC’s financial structure is predominantly reliant on state subsidies disbursed through the IAA. Estimates from Bahraini journalists and media analysts suggest that over 60% of BRTC’s operating budget comes from public funding. The remainder is supplemented by revenue from advertising, though this constitutes a minor share and is largely constrained by the broadcaster’s political alignment and limited commercial autonomy.

As of June 2025, no major reforms to BRTC’s funding model or diversification strategies have been reported, and transparency regarding its financial statements remains limited.

Editorial independence

BRTC is widely regarded as a government-aligned broadcaster with minimal editorial autonomy. Its programming consistently reflects the official positions of the Bahraini government, and its editorial output is seen as a vehicle for state messaging rather than independent journalism.

The broadcaster’s role during the 2011 Bahraini uprising remains emblematic of its close cooperation with state security apparatuses. BRTC was publicly criticized for aiding authorities in identifying protest participants, many of whom faced severe repercussions. More than a decade later, according to expert assessments, this symbiotic relationship between BRTC and the government remains unchanged.

To date, there is no domestic legislation or independent regulatory mechanism that guarantees BRTC’s editorial independence or subjects it to credible oversight. External evaluations consistently underscore the lack of safeguards against government interference, placing BRTC at odds with international standards for public service broadcasting.

July 2025

Media assets

Bahrain News Agency

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

BNA operates under the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), the state’s regulatory body for media and communications. The IAA wields full authority over BNA’s internal organization and editorial direction. It appoints top executives and defines the agency’s mandate in line with government priorities. According to Bahraini journalists and regional media analysts consulted for this report, the Director-General of BNA holds a senior government rank and is appointed directly by royal decree, reflecting the agency’s embeddedness in the state apparatus.

The agency’s headquarters are listed at the address of the Ministry of Information, reinforcing the administrative overlap between the government and the agency.

Abdullah Khalil Mohammed Buhiji, a media professional, has served as Director‑General of Bahrain News Agency (BNA) since his formal appointment in 2019—initially in an acting capacity before securing the position by royal decree.

Source of funding and budget

BNA is entirely state-funded, with its operational budget derived from a government grant administered through the Ministry of Information. Both the ministry and BNA remain opaque regarding financial disclosures, and no public audit or annual report is made available.

However, according to a Bahraini journalist interviewed by the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) in April 2024, the agency receives an estimated annual state subsidy of USD 14 million. This funding sustains BNA’s operational costs, including staff salaries, content production, and international newswire services.

There is no indication that BNA generates revenue from commercial activities or advertising, nor is there any evidence of attempts to diversify its funding model.

Editorial independence

BNA functions as a state-aligned media outlet with no editorial independence from the ruling authorities. Its news coverage consistently supports and amplifies official narratives, government programs, and royal initiatives. An informal content analysis conducted as part of this project in May 2024 found that more than 90% of BNA’s published output consists of articles portraying government figures and institutions in a positive light—particularly the King and Crown Prince.

BNA’s reporting rarely includes dissenting voices, independent verification, or critical perspectives. Rather, it adheres to a public relations style of journalism, promoting Bahrain’s image domestically and internationally in line with official priorities.

To date, there is no legislation, statutory framework, or independent oversight mechanism in Bahrain that guarantees BNA’s editorial autonomy. International watchdogs and regional media scholars have routinely classified BNA as a government-controlled outlet, integral to the country’s tightly regulated information environment.

July 2025