Qazaqstan Radio and Television Corporation (RTRK) is one of the largest broadcasting companies in Kazakhstan, with four television and four radio channels and a network of 15 regional television stations.
Media assets
Television: Qazaqstan, Qazsport, Balapan, Abai TV
Radio: Qazaq Radiosi, Shalkar, Astana, Classic
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
RTRK is a state-owned television and radio company fully owned by the Ministry of Information and Public Development of Kazakhstan. The highest authority of the Corporation is the Board of Directors, whose members are appointed by the Government of Kazakhstan.
Source of funding and budget
RTRK is largely funded by the government through subsidies from the state budget. In 2017, RTRK received a state subsidy of KZT 19bn (US$ 57.3m), the largest state subsidy given to any media outlet in the country that year. In 2020, the broadcaster received a budget of KZT 22bn (US$ 52m), according to a company annual report.
Editorial independence
RTRK is a state enterprise tasked with implementing the information policy of the Kazakh state. There is an RTRK charter, but it doesn’t guarantee the station’s editorial independence.
No independent assessment or oversight mechanism to validate the editorial independence of RTRK was identified during the final round of research for this report.
September 2024