Al Raya Media Group – State Media Monitor

Operating under the aegis of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Al Raya Media Group oversees a cluster of radio stations, including Army FM Radio, Radio Plus, Hala Radio, Jeish FM, and Bliss 104.3. While cloaked in civilian branding, all outlets fall squarely under military direction, making them an extension of the state’s communication apparatus.

Media assets

Radio: Army FM Radio, Radio Plus, Radio Hala, Jewish FM, Bliss 104,3

State Media Matrix Typology

Ownership and governance

Al Raya Media Group is tightly controlled by the Jordanian military. According to media professionals interviewed in March 2024 and February 2025, editorial leaders and station management are appointed by military authorities, with no civilian oversight or independent board structure in place. The network remains firmly positioned within the defence establishment’s institutional framework, operating more like a government-run media branch than a private enterprise.

Source of funding and budget

The group’s financial foundation rests on direct funding from the Jordanian Armed Forces, which are responsible for its core operating costs. In addition, each station supplements its budget with commercial advertising, which—according to local experts—accounts for more than half of the group’s overall revenue. This hybrid funding model allows the military to underwrite strategic programming while leveraging market-based revenue sources.

Editorial independence

According to journalists and media analysts interviewed earlier in February 2025, Al Raya’s radio stations serve as a propaganda channel for state and military messaging. Programming choices routinely support official priorities: coverage of military exercises, public safety advisories, border-security initiatives, and national unity campaigns. There is no legal or institutional guarantee of editorial autonomy. No independent assessment or oversight mechanism exists to safeguard content integrity or provide checks and balances on their messaging.

July 2025