Al-Qarn is a government-run Arabic-language newspaper in Djibouti, established in 1977—the same year the country gained independence. It serves as one of the primary print outlets disseminating official information and state narratives to the Arabic-speaking population.
Media assets
Publishing: Al-Qarn
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Al-Qarn is fully owned and controlled by the government of Djibouti. Its management structure is tightly linked to the political leadership. According to information provided by local journalists and confirmed by a 2023 interview conducted by the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC), the editorial manager of Al-Qarn is appointed directly by the head of the presidential office. This appointment process reflects a broader pattern of political oversight and centralized media governance in the country. No structural reforms or changes in governance have been reported as of June 2025.
Source of funding and budget
Al-Qarn is entirely funded by the state, with no known independent or commercial revenue streams. Financial transparency is lacking: the government does not publicly disclose the newspaper’s annual budget or expenditures. This information gap remains unchanged as of mid-2025. Interviews with media professionals conducted by the MJRC in September 2023 and again in February 2025 reaffirmed that the outlet remains financially dependent on the central government, which continues to cover its operational and staffing costs.
Editorial independence
Al-Qarn functions effectively as a state mouthpiece. Its editorial line is closely aligned with government policies and messaging. The newspaper routinely promotes official government positions, events, and achievements, and does not feature dissenting opinions or coverage critical of state institutions. Local media analysts and journalists have confirmed that this editorial alignment has persisted through 2025.
There are no legal safeguards or independent mechanisms in place to ensure editorial independence at Al-Qarn. No statutory framework exists to regulate state influence over the newspaper’s content or protect journalistic autonomy.
June 2025