Channel 5 is also known as the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station. The broadcaster was launched in 1958.
Media assets
Television: Channel 5
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
Channel 5 is operated by the Royal Thai Army, which has full decision-making power when it comes to issues related to the outlet’s management and governance.
Source of funding and budget
Channel 5 is fully financed through subsidies from the Royal Thai Army, according to local journalists and experts interviewed for this report.
Editorial independence
As an army operated broadcaster, Channel 5 fully follows the editorial line imposed by the military, according to local journalists and experts.
No domestic statute and no independent mechanism to assess the editorial independence of Channel 5 have been identified.
October 2023