State Publishing Office
Based on data collected by the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC), Turkmenistan currently publishes 27 newspapers. With the sole exception of Zaman Turkmenistan, every title remains firmly under state ownership and control.
The most notable newspapers still in operation include: Neytralny Turkmenistan (the main newspaper of Turkmenistan); Neytralny Turkmenistan – the country’s main newspaper, published in Russian; Neutral Turkmenistan – an English-language version targeting foreign readers; Turkmenistan – another flagship daily; Watan (“Homeland”), a paper with Soviet roots, once known as Yash Kommunistler (“Young Communists”); Nesil (“Generation”), owned by the state youth organisation; Turkmen Sporty, owned by the State Sports Committee; Mugallymlar Gazeti (“Teachers’ Newspaper”), overseen by the Ministry of Education; Adalat (“Justice”), published under the Ministry of Justice; Nebit-Gaz (“Oil and Gas”), overseen by the Ministry of Oil and Gas; Edebiyat we Sungat (“Literature and Art”), managed by the Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting; Bereketli Toprak (“Fertile Land”), administered by the Ministry of Agriculture; Turkmenin Yupek Yoly (“Turkmen Silk Road”), published by the Ministry of Railways; Esger (“Soldier”), overseen by the Ministry of Defence; and Galkynysh (“Development”), published by the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, in uninterrupted power since 1991.
Media assets
Publishing: Newspapers- Neytralny Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan, Watan, Nesil, Turkmen Sporty, Mugallymlar Gazeti, Adalat, Nebit-Gaz, Edebiyat we Sungat, Bereketli Toprak, Turkmenin Yupek Yoly, Esger, Galkynysh; Magazines- Dunya Edebiyaty, Garagum, Saglyk, Altyn Asyr Ykdysadyyeti, Gunesh, Taze Oba, Diyar
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
All newspapers and online print media fall under the remit of the State Publishing Office, a centralized government agency. The Office both owns and governs these outlets, delegating day-to-day editorial and administrative control to the relevant ministries or, in the case of Galkynysh, to the ruling party.
Source of funding and budget
According to experts on Turkmenistan interviewed for this report (May 2024), the State Publishing Office finances its operations primarily through subscriptions. These subscriptions are, however, compulsory: citizens are required by law to subscribe to at least one newspaper, frequently without the ability to choose the title themselves. This state-mandated system guarantees a captive market and ensures that the authorities retain absolute control over both circulation and revenues.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence is entirely absent. The State Publishing Office dictates content across the print sector, enforcing strict loyalty to the ruling family. Newspapers are required to glorify both former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and his son, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who assumed the presidency in March 2022. A hallmark of this system is the daily front-page portrait of the sitting president, often accompanied by articles praising his achievements.
Furthermore, individual ministries are granted editorial oversight of the newspapers they administer, which reduces them to vehicles of ministerial propaganda. There is no statutory guarantee of independence, nor any independent regulatory body to monitor or enforce journalistic standards.
August 2025