Canal UTV was launched in 2008 as a television channel of the National Autonomous University of Honduras with a primarily educational focus. It presents itself as “the first educational public channel of Honduras.” The channel only acquired nationwide coverage in 2017.
Media assets
Television: Canal de la Universidad Autónoma de Honduras (UTV)
State Media Matrix Typology
Independent State-Funded (ISF)
Ownership and governance
UTV, in contrast to other state-controlled media outlets, operates under the guidance of an editorial university council, safeguarding its autonomy and ensuring it remains free from external influence.
Source of funding and budget
UTV relies on public funding channeled through the university that oversees its operations, according to insights shared by local journalists and experts interviewed for this report in May 2024. However, the most up-to-date publicly accessible financial records for the university stretch only as far back as 2009.
Editorial independence
UTV stands as the only state-funded broadcaster in Honduras that boasts both editorial independence and an educational emphasis, setting it apart from other state-run media outlets. Its operational autonomy is safeguarded through the university’s protections, under whose authority the station functions.
At present, there are no independent mechanisms in place to assess or oversee UTV’s editorial independence. Nevertheless, the channel is governed by an autonomous editorial council that ensures its programming is produced free from external influence. Government interference is notably absent, largely because UTV’s content carries little weight in shaping the nation’s media landscape.
April 2025