Radio Télévision Gabonaise (RTG) is Gabon’s national state-owned broadcaster, operating two television channels, a French-language radio network, and several regional radio stations serving the country’s provinces. As the country’s primary public media outlet, RTG functions as a central pillar in the government’s communication strategy.
Media assets
Television: RTG1, RTG2
Radio: Radio Gabon chain
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
RTG operates under the authority of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, which holds full responsibility for appointing the broadcaster’s senior management, including the Director General. The ministry also supervises staff contracts and has final say in all major operational decisions, leaving little room for independent institutional governance.
Source of funding and budget
RTG is primarily funded through allocations from the national government. While it does collect limited revenue from advertising, media observers confirm that public subsidies remain the dominant source of financial support. No official figures regarding RTG’s annual budget have been made publicly available, and the broadcaster does not publish financial reports or audited statements.
Editorial independence
Editorially, RTG is widely perceived as a tightly controlled arm of the executive. Journalists and media analysts covering Gabon report that the broadcaster’s news coverage is heavily skewed in favor of the presidency. News bulletins routinely open with segments lauding the president, often featuring ceremonial events or congratulatory messages.
There are no statutory protections, independent oversight bodies, or internal safeguards in place to guarantee editorial independence. As a result, RTG remains an instrument of state messaging rather than an autonomous public service broadcaster.
June 2025