CODISA is a Nicaraguan media company that operates a network of radio stations, including Radio Sandino, La Tuani, Radio Futura, Radio Clásica, and Viva FM. These stations are known for broadcasting content aligned with the government, serving as vehicles for pro-government messaging.
Media assets
Radio: Radio Sandino, La Tuani, Futura, Clasica, VIVA FM
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
CODISA is owned and managed by members of the Ortega-Murillo family. According to an investigative report by Confidencial published in February 2022, the company is controlled by Rafael Ortega Murillo, one of President Daniel Ortega’s sons. The report detailed the opaque ownership structure behind CODISA and underscored its function as a media asset of the presidential family.
Management appointments at CODISA are made directly by individuals within the president’s inner circle, ensuring tight political control over the company’s operations. The absence of independent corporate governance mechanisms further consolidates this control.
Source of funding and budget
CODISA receives a significant portion of its revenue from Nicaraguan government sources, primarily through state advertising contracts and institutional sponsorships. According to local journalists interviewed in Managua in June 2024, public sector advertising accounts for a substantial share of CODISA’s operational budget. Although the company also generates revenue through private advertising, these streams are marginal in comparison and often depend on businesses aligned with the ruling party.
Editorial independence
The editorial direction of CODISA’s radio stations is firmly aligned with the Nicaraguan government. The content broadcast across its network is largely propagandistic, regularly amplifying state narratives and promoting the image of President Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo. Critical perspectives or opposition viewpoints are entirely absent from CODISA’s programming.
As of 2025, there is no legal framework or independent regulatory body in Nicaragua tasked with overseeing or guaranteeing the editorial independence of private media companies like CODISA. This lack of oversight allows the stations to function effectively as state-aligned broadcasters under private ownership.
May 2025