Radio Nacional de Honduras (RNH) is a radio broadcaster that began operating in March 1976 during the military junta rule in Honduras. The broadcaster has consistently relied on government funding. Presently, the radio station’s coverage is limited to specific areas in Honduras, including the capital city of Tegucigalpa, as well as the towns of San Pedro Sula, Santa Bárbara, Copán, Ocotepeque, and Lempira.
Media assets
Radio: Radio Nacional de Honduras (RNH)
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The RNH, akin to the TNH, operates directly under the presidential office, falling specifically within the remit of the Office for Communication and Presidential Strategy. The appointment of the RNH director is a prerogative shared by the President of the Republic, the Presidential Office Press Secretary, and the Minister of Communication and Strategy, who assume this responsibility on a rotational basis.
Source of funding and budget
The Secretariat of the Honduran Presidency designates part of its budget to sustain RNH, which completely depends on government finances to remain operational. State media, including TNH and RNH, are strictly barred from running advertisements. However, in recent years, RNH has faced severe funding cuts, hampering the station’s capacity to upgrade and modernize its operations.
Editorial independence
The Office of Communication and Strategy under the presidency holds complete authority over the content and editorial direction of RNH. The station’s programs consistently mirror the government’s official narrative and are steadfast in their support of the current administration.
An informal content analysis of RNH’s programming, conducted in 2021, unveiled a distinctly propagandistic tone. For instance, RNH aired a program called ‘La Patrulla’ (The Patrol) every Saturday at 10 a.m., which was produced by the national police to showcase their work. The show frequently included cordial interviews with high-ranking officials, where the focus largely revolves around their accomplishments.
Moreover, a subsequent content analysis in May 2024 reaffirmed a pronounced bias favoring the sitting government in Honduras. During the spring of 2024, state-run media in Honduras was criticized for disproportionately spotlighting prospective candidates from the ruling political party Libre, leading to concerns of partisan favoritism.
No legal framework, domestic regulation, or independent oversight mechanism has been identified to ensure RNH’s editorial independence. The station’s content strategy and editorial policies remain firmly under the jurisdiction of the Office of Communication and Presidential Strategy, raising serious questions about its impartiality.
April 2025