Lao National Television (LNTV) is the nationwide television broadcaster in Laos. It operates two national channels and a network of regional channels. Founded in 1983, the station covers Laos and some parts of Thailand. In its early days, it only broadcast three hours a day. Since 2018, the Chinese government has provided assistance in the form of upgraded equipment to the broadcaster, which lacks resources for such improvements.
Media assets
Television: National- LNTV1, LNTV3; Regional- LNTV Attapeu, LNTV Bokeo, LNTV Borikhamsai, LNTV Champassak, LNTV Houaphan, LNTV Khammouane, LNTV Luangnamtha, LNTV Luangprabang, LNTV Oudomxai, LNTV Phongsali, LNTV Saiyabouli, LNTV Saravane, LNTV Savannakhet, LNTV Sekong, LNTV Xiengkhouang
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
LNTV was established by and is subordinated to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, according to information from the television station. All key managers at the station are appointed by the government, mostly on political grounds. At the same time, many of the station’s journalists are members of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the sole party in Laos.
Source of funding and budget
LNTV does not release annual reports or any other informational materials about its operation. Like all media outlets in Laos, LNTV is fully funded by the government, according to information from local journalists and experts. In the past decade or so, the broadcaster has been receiving funding in the form of government grants from China. According to the latest estimate (from 2018) from a journalist working with LNTV, in some years, Chinese government grants account for up to 40% of the total LNTV expenditure.
Editorial independence
All media in Laos operate under a drastic censorship system, with the government closely following the content aired on LNTV. Top managers and editors at the station have regular meetings with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism where they are instructed how to “improve” content. Journalists criticizing the government risk jail time. According to the Constitution, the State “attends to improving and expanding media activities for the purpose of national protection and development.”
No independent assessment and no domestic statue to guarantee the editorial independence of LNTV have been identified. The station’s work is closely supervised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
October 2023