Radiodiffusion Télévision de Djibouti (RTD) is the national public broadcaster of Djibouti. It began operations in the 1950s during French colonial rule as an extension of the French public broadcasting system, primarily serving the settler population. After independence in 1977, RTD was nationalized and repurposed as a tool for state-led nation-building and the promotion of unity across the country’s ethnically diverse population.
As of 2025, RTD operates four television channels and four radio stations, broadcasting in French, Arabic, Somali, and Afar. Its principal outlets—Télévision Djibouti and Radio Djibouti—have nationwide reach and remain the most influential sources of news for much of the population, particularly given the limited development of private media in the country.
Media assets
Television: Tele Djibouti 1, Tele Djibouti 2, Tele Djibouti 3, Tele Djibouti 4
Radio: Radio Djibouti 1, Radio Djibouti 2, Radio Djibouti 3, Radio Djibouti 4
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
RTD was formally established by government decree in 1999. It is wholly owned by the state and subordinated to the Ministry of Communication and Culture, which defines its strategic policy direction.
RTD is governed by a Council of Administration composed of seven members: four government officials, one representative from the national media regulator, one RTD staff member, and one representative of a government-aligned NGO. All appointments are made by presidential decree, based on the proposal of the Minister of Communication and Culture.
The Director General of RTD is appointed directly by the government, reinforcing its operational dependence on the executive branch. As of mid-2025, no reforms have been enacted to limit political influence over these appointments or introduce independent oversight.
Source of funding and budget
RTD is financed entirely through the state budget, with no commercial advertising revenue. Its financial allocations are determined and approved annually by the government.
- 2023 budget: DJF 1.6 billion (approx. US$ 9.3 million)
- 2024 budget: Provisionally maintained at DJF 1.6 billion (source: RTD management and Ministry of Communication)
No public audits or financial transparency mechanisms are currently in place, and detailed expenditure reports are not made available to the public.
Editorial independence
RTD’s editorial policy aligns closely with government positions. According to interviews conducted with local journalists and international observers in early 2025, the broadcaster systematically avoids criticism of state authorities and excludes opposition voices from coverage.
There are no domestic statutes guaranteeing editorial independence, nor does RTD benefit from an independent editorial board. The absence of pluralistic content, especially during election periods, has been consistently flagged by media freedom organizations as a major concern.
Recent cases in late 2024 and early 2025 documented internal pressure on RTD journalists to modify or suppress content deemed sensitive or unfavorable to the ruling government. No formal investigations or accountability measures have followed these reports.
June 2025