Pelita Brunei
Pelita Brunei is the official government newspaper of Brunei Darussalam. Launched in 1956, the publication has long served as the primary conduit for disseminating state-sanctioned news and official announcements. Over the decades, it has become a key tool in the government’s public communication strategy.
Media assets
Publishing: Pelita Brunei
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Pelita Brunei is operated under the auspices of the Information Department, which falls within the Prime Minister’s Office. According to official government disclosures, the publication remains tightly embedded within the state apparatus and is overseen by public sector information officers appointed by the department. This institutional setup reflects the newspaper’s status as a state-run publication rather than an autonomous journalistic entity.
Source of funding and budget
As of May 2025, information provided by Bruneian authorities and corroborated by regional media observers confirms that Pelita Brunei is entirely funded by the Brunei government. The newspaper does not rely on commercial advertising or subscription revenues and operates as a publicly financed communication organ. No independent financial disclosures regarding the paper’s annual budget or spending allocations are publicly available.
Editorial independence
Pelita Brunei functions primarily as an official mouthpiece of the Brunei government, with its editorial line closely aligned with state priorities and policies. Its content primarily comprises speeches by the Sultan, government policy announcements, civil service updates, and national achievements framed through an official lens.
To date, no independent statutory authority or regulatory mechanism exists to assess or ensure the editorial independence of the publication. Consequently, its editorial stance reflects the priorities of the executive branch rather than diverse or oppositional perspectives.
July 2025