In 1996, the National Institute of Radio and Television of Peru (IRTP) was established to manage Peru’s public broadcast media. The organization operates TV Perú, the group’s main television channel, which has a history dating back to 1958. TV Peru Noticias focuses on news content, TV Peru International caters to audiences in other countries, and IPe Channel primarily focuses on children and youth.
IRTP also operates Nacional, a radio channel established in 1937 to promote culture, education, and informative content. The group also includes Radio La Crónica, a station that primarily broadcasts entertainment programming and covers only Lima, the country’s capital.
Media assets
Television: TV Perú, TV Peru Noticias, TV Peru Internacional, Canal IPe
Radio: Radio Nacional, Radio La Crónica
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The IRTP, established under Legislative Decree No. 829, was conceived as an “autonomous public” institute. However, while technically deemed autonomous, it operates as a branch of the government. Initially overseen by the Ministry of Education, its oversight has since shifted to the Ministry of Culture.
The governance structure of the IRTP included a Board of Directors composed of a President and four members, an Executive President, and a General Management, as stipulated in Article 5 of its Rules of Procedure. The appointment and removal of the Executive President and key managers fell under the purview of the Board, whereas the President of the Republic, with the green light from the Minister of Culture, designated the members of the Board.
In May 2023, Ninoska Chandia was named President of the IRTP. This appointment sparked controversy, with independent observers raising eyebrows over Chandia’s close ties to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. Critics argued her selection tightened the government’s grip on IRTP’s media operations, raising concerns about a growing lack of editorial independence.
Recent legal shifts have further imperiled the IRTP’s independence. In 2024, the Peruvian authorities enacted a decree that dismantled the two governing boards of the IRTP, replacing them with a so-called “headship.” This new position consolidates leadership power over the broadcasting entity into the hands of a single individual, who reports directly to the Presidency and the Ministry of Culture. In January 2025, media freedom watchdogs and journalist associations have sounded alarm bells over these legal amendments, arguing that they hand the government even more leeway to meddle in the IRTP’s internal operations.
Source of funding and budget
In 2022, the IRTP operated with a budget of PEN 132.5m (US$ 33.9m), the bulk of which was drawn from government funding, though the broadcaster retains the ability to generate supplementary income by offering services.
By 2024, the allocated budget had decreased to PEN 97.3m (US$ 25.8m) to support the organization’s media operations. However, the station’s management came under fire for burning through nearly 78% of these funds within just the first four months of the year, from January to April.
Editorial independence
The government exercises strict control over the editorial direction of IRTP-run media outlets by selecting the Board of Directors and situating IRTP under the Ministry of Culture’s jurisdiction. According to TV Peru’s website, its mission is to foster national unity while aligning with the government’s priorities. Content analyses for this report conducted in 2021, 2022, and 2024 revealed that although TV Peru features opposition MPs in its programming, its overall editorial stance is closely aligned with the government’s official narrative and objectives.
For instance, the dissemination of news related to health and education serves the public good. However, when it comes to politically sensitive issues, IRTP-controlled media outlets lean heavily toward the government’s perspective. Interviews featuring government officials frequently function as platforms to highlight their accomplishments and initiatives. While interviewees occasionally criticize authorities, the hosts on these programs steer clear of offering any critique themselves. Consequently, IRTP’s broadcasts act as a conduit between the government and its audience. Programs addressing corruption in politics largely focus on individuals outside the ruling leadership.
The editorial direction habitually tilts in favor of the government, leaving no room for opposition figures to scrutinize those in power effectively. A content review conducted post-July 2021—following the inauguration of a new president—found state-run media under IRTP’s purview has continually provided favorable coverage of the administration.
Journalists working for IRTP reportedly operate under immense pressure, often finding themselves compelled to sideline critical or controversial stories. Notably, in 2023, several journalists and managers alleged being abruptly terminated without legitimate justifications. In response, IRTP stated these staff members had voluntarily stepped down from their roles, a claim that some viewed skeptically.
IRTP functions in accordance with the Organization and Operation Regulations, which outline the outlet’s essence and purpose. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that this document falls short of guaranteeing IRTP’s editorial autonomy. Furthermore, no independent evaluation mechanism has been established to substantiate the editorial independence of IRTP’s media platforms.
April 2025