Ecuador’s state media landscape has undergone significant transformations. Once operating under the name Empresa Pública Medios Públicos de Comunicación del Ecuador-Medios Públicos EP, it was restructured in September 2020 by decree of President Lenin Moreno and rebranded as Empresa Pública de Comunicación del Ecuador EP. By 2021, the entity adopted the name Comunica EP and now oversees operations of the television network Ecuador TV, the radio station Pública FM, and the digital news portal associated with the once-printed newspaper El Telégrafo, which discontinued its print editions during the summer of 2020.
Under the administration of Rafael Correa, state media exerted direct control over influential outlets such as the newspapers El Telégrafo and El Tiempo, as well as RTVE Ecuador, an umbrella network that encompassed Ecuador TV, Pública FM, and Andes Ecuador Agency—the latter shut its doors in 2018. Other entities within the state’s grasp included TC Televisión, Gamavisión, Edunned channel (operated by the Ministry of Education), and Legislative TV, the media channel of the National Assembly of Ecuador.
However, after measures implemented by Moreno, the state media sector saw sweeping changes. Most employees were let go, while previously separate entities were fused into a consolidated media group now caught in the throes of a profound reform process.
Media assets
Television: Ecuador TV
Radio: Publica FM
Publishing: El Telegrafo
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
On September 26, 2020, through Executive Decree 1160, President Lenin Moreno set the stage for a new chapter in state media by founding Comunica EP. This move led to the dissolution of its predecessor, the former public entity Empresa Pública Medios Públicos de Comunicación del Ecuador–Medios Públicos EP, as well as the closure of most existing state-owned media outlets. However, under the stewardship of the newly established national media entity, key platforms such as Ecuador TV (a television network), Pública FM (a radio station), and El Telégrafo (a long-standing newspaper that transitioned fully to a digital format) were preserved.
As outlined in Article 315 of Ecuador’s Constitution, the State has the power to establish public companies to deliver essential services. The country’s Organic Law of Public Companies further clarifies the procedural framework, specifying that the creation of such entities requires a presidential decree. Per Article 6 of this law, public enterprises, including those operating state media, are mandated to function under the guidance of a board of directors and a General Manager.
Moreover, Article 78 of the Organic Law of Communication defines state media companies as autonomous public legal entities with distinct assets, making them entirely independent financially, administratively, economically, and in terms of management. These entities are charged with managing strategic sectors, delivering public services, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and public assets, or engaging in economic activities that align with the overarching aims of national governance.
As stipulated in Article 5 of Decree 1160, the newly organized board of directors of the public media corporation is to be composed of three representatives:
a) The head of the General Secretariat for Communication of the Presidency, or his/her permanent delegate;
b) The chairperson of the Public Companies Coordinating Company’s board, or his/her delegate;
c) An appointee representing the presidency of the republic.
Economist Samia Tacle was appointed as General Director of Comunica EP in March 2023, stepping into a leadership role to guide Ecuador’s revamped approach to public media.
Source of funding and budget
After an extensive period of restructuring and reform, Comunica EP saw its budget rise to US$ 2.8m in 2022, an increase of over US$ 1m compared to the previous year, according to a company report. Around US$ 1.59m came in the form of a government subsidy, with the remaining portion being drawn from the company’s own revenue streams.
In 2023, Comunica EP’s budget soared to a noteworthy US$ 5.66m, as per company records. Of this, the company managed to generate an estimated US$ 1.52m from its operational activities. By November 2024, the company had incurred losses of US$ 1.9m.
Editorial independence
Ecuador’s public service media group operates under the direct control of the nation’s president, with its editorial stance traditionally aligned with supporting the government. For instance, during Lenín Moreno’s presidency, critical coverage of him was notably absent, and many journalists inducted under Rafael Correa’s administration were removed from the media organization.
A content analysis commissioned for this report in 2021 uncovered clear bias in public media during Moreno’s tenure, with extensive coverage of his activities while negative developments were downplayed or swept under the rug. Although staff cuts were implemented within the organization during Moreno’s administration, the government’s tight grip on editorial decisions remained steadfast. This trend showed no signs of abating following Guillermo Lasso’s ascent to power, as significant restructuring of the media company led to the dismissal of thousands of employees.
A pivotal moment arrived in November 2022 with the enactment of a new Communications Law, which replaced the infamous “gag law” enacted by Rafael Correa. Championed and signed into effect by Lasso, the new legal framework eliminated pre-existing legal tools for “prior censorship,” marking a substantial step forward for press freedom in theory. However, despite this progress, Comunica EP currently retains its designation within the State-Controlled (SC) category in our media classification framework. Clearer evidence is required to establish whether the journalists under Comunica EP’s roof can truly perform their duties without interference tethered to government influence. The prevailing consensus in academic research suggests that the company’s dependency on government funding continues to curtail its editorial independence.
The 1160 decree forms the legal cornerstone for the newly established entity tasked with managing all public media platforms in Ecuador. Its predecessor, a media company now in the process of liquidation, operated under an Organic Statute that defined its mandate and modus operandi. The organization also adhered to a code of ethics; however, neither document explicitly safeguarded the editorial independence of its media outlets.
Moreover, the research for this report uncovered no evidence of independent evaluation or oversight mechanisms to ensure the editorial autonomy of Empresa Pública Medios Públicos de Comunicación del Ecuador.
March 2025