Media assets

Television: LNTV, Metro TV

Radio: ELBC 99.9 FM, Metro 89.9

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

LBS is a government-owned corporation governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. All board members, as well as the Director General and senior management, are appointed directly by the President of Liberia. This structure embeds the broadcaster firmly within the executive branch, limiting institutional safeguards for editorial independence.

As of mid-2025, no significant reforms have been introduced to alter the governance model or diversify appointment powers. Civil society groups continue to call for a depoliticization of leadership appointments in line with broader public service media norms.

Source of funding & budget

LBS is primarily funded through public funds, with a modest share of its revenue derived from commercial sources such as airtime sales and advertising. The station also receives foreign aid, notably from China, which has contributed to equipment upgrades and infrastructure development.

In March 2025, the Ministry of Information confirmed that China had supplied an additional grant of $300,000 worth of transmission and broadcasting equipment to LBS. No public tender or parliamentary oversight accompanied this support.

Although government audits of LBS continue intermittently, no publicly available audit report for 2023 or 2024 has been released. Concerns about financial transparency remain, especially regarding donor aid.

Editorial independence

LBS operates with little to no editorial autonomy. Local journalists and analysts consistently describe it as a mouthpiece of the ruling administration. Reporting is clearly favorable to government initiatives and narratives, with minimal space for opposition or dissenting views.

In February 2025, an opposition spokesperson’s scheduled interview on LBS Radio was reportedly canceled last-minute, allegedly under pressure from the Ministry of State. In March 2025, LBS faced public backlash after airing a celebratory segment on President Boakai’s infrastructure tour while ignoring ongoing teacher strikes in several counties.

Internal editorial guidelines, according to leaked documents reviewed by journalists, emphasize “nation-building priorities” and discourage “negative political discourse.”

The 2018 recommendation from the UN Human Rights Council urging Liberia to transform LBS into a genuine public service broadcaster remains unimplemented. There is still no legal statute or independent oversight body to guarantee editorial freedom, and no public consultation mechanisms are in place regarding programming or accountability.

June 2025

Today, the agency primarily operates as a government mouthpiece, republishing press releases, ministerial statements, and presidential communiqués. Its reach and influence remain limited, especially compared to commercial outlets and digital-native media.

Media assets

News agency: LINA

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

LINA is a fully state-owned entity operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). Its entire leadership structure, board of directors, chief executive officer, and senior managers, is appointed directly by the President of Liberia, without any competitive selection or independent vetting.

As of June 2025, no changes have been made to improve institutional autonomy. The agency continues to function more like a public relations arm of the executive branch than a journalistic institution.

Source of funding and budget

LINA is wholly reliant on government funding, with its budget channeled through the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). It does not generate independent commercial revenue, nor does it operate any paid subscription or syndication services. The agency’s financial model remains entirely dependent on state allocations.

According to publicly available budget documents, LINA received US$ 423,000 for the 2020–2021 fiscal year, which covered staff wages, limited operations, and basic communication infrastructure.

While specific figures for subsequent years (2022–2025) are not disaggregated in national budget summaries, estimates based on MICAT’s overall allocations and internal ratios suggest that LINA’s funding has remained relatively flat, with annual allocations hovering between US$ 420,000 and US$ 450,000.

In early 2025, press reports and parliamentary discussions indicated concerns about the “underutilization” of LINA’s potential, citing persistent publication delays and a lack of regional news outreach. However, no official audit or oversight report has been released to date to assess the agency’s operational or fiscal efficiency.

Despite receiving regular public funding, LINA continues to operate with minimal infrastructure, limited visibility, and virtually no independent revenue streams.

Editorial independence

LINA’s editorial role is formally framed as a communications vehicle for the Liberian government. According to its official mandate, the agency exists to “publicize government programs and development initiatives,” and it operates directly under the supervision of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT). It does not maintain a separate editorial charter or statutory guarantees of independence.

The agency shares office space with MICAT, and its news output is primarily published on the ministry’s website and its official Facebook page. LINA does not run a standalone news portal or syndication network, and its content almost entirely focuses on presidential events, ministerial statements, and state-led development campaigns.

While no official censorship directive has been publicly disclosed, media observers and former employees interviewed for this report have alleged that internal editorial guidance discourages coverage that reflects negatively on government ministries or officials. These allegations have been echoed in press union statements and civil society critiques, though no formal documentation, such as leaked memos or editorial policy manuals, has been independently verified.

The agency has no independent oversight board or statutory framework to assess its editorial integrity. Calls by local press freedom advocates and international organizations to restructure LINA into a more independent public service news provider have so far gone unheeded.

June 2025