Mongolian National Broadcaster (MNB) is Mongolia’s public media operator. It is the country’s oldest broadcaster, with its first broadcasts dating back to 1967. The company currently operates four television and three radio channels.
Media assets
Television: MNB1, MNB News, MNB Sport, MNB World
Radio: Mongolian Radio, P3 FM, Voice of Mongolia
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
MNB was established and is regulated in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Law on Public Radio and Television, which was adopted in 2005. The legislation established MNB as a non-profit legal entity. The highest governing body at MNB is the National Council, comprising 15 members appointed by state authorities. The President (4), the Great State Hural (7), Mongolia’s parliament, and the Government (4) all have representation.
Source of funding and budget
MNB is financed through a combination of state funding and licence fees, which are levied on all households in Mongolia. The latest financial report from the broadcaster, released in 2018, shows that the state allocation accounted for over 58% of the station’s total budget of MNT 18.7bn (US$ 7.8m). The broadcaster’s budget remained unchanged in 2019, according to expert data.
Editorial independence
Despite legal provisions designed to guarantee the editorial independence of MNB, the broadcaster is highly politicized, with its editorial agenda being controlled by the government.
The Law on Public Radio and Television includes provisions designed to guarantee the independence of public radio and television reporters and editorial staff. However, local journalists and experts have indicated that these provisions are not being adhered to in practice.
There is currently no independent assessment or oversight mechanism in place to validate the editorial independence of the MNB.
September 2024