Founded in 1966 and based in the capital city, N’Djamena, the Chad Press and Publishing Agency (ATPE) is the country’s official press and publishing agency. Initially envisioned as a public information service, ATPE has since evolved into a communication arm of the state, with limited journalistic autonomy.
Media assets
News agency: ATPE
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
ATPE is fully state-owned and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Communication. As of the latest available accounts from 2019, the agency functions as a government entity with no independent governing board or statutory framework guaranteeing editorial independence. Its leadership and strategic direction remain closely aligned with ministry directives, with key appointments made through political channels.
On 27 May 2025, Aïcha Khalil was officially named Présidente du Conseil d’Administration (PCA) of ATPE—signaling a leadership shift at the agency.
Source of funding and budget
ATPE is entirely financed by the Chadian government. No separate or detailed budget line is publicly disclosed, and the agency operates as a departmental unit within the Ministry of Communication. According to local sources consulted in 2024, ATPE does not generate its own revenue and relies solely on state allocations to cover its operations, publishing, and staffing.
Editorial independence
In practice, ATPE serves as a government mouthpiece, producing content that consistently aligns with official state narratives. An ad hoc content analysis conducted as part of this project found no instances of critical or oppositional reporting. The agency’s output is overwhelmingly promotional, centered on communicating government policies, decisions, and public appearances.
Despite official claims of professional standards, ATPE operates without an independent editorial statute or external oversight. There is no internal watchdog or third-party mechanism in place to safeguard journalistic standards or ensure balanced reporting. As such, ATPE’s content remains firmly in the realm of state-aligned communication rather than independent journalism.
July 2025