National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (NTRK) is the flagship state broadcaster in Kyrgyzstan. It operated as the Public Broadcasting Corporation (OTRK) until May 2022 when it changed its name to the current one. The group now airs six television channels and five radio stations.
Media assets
Television: Public First Channel, KTRK Music, Madaniyat-Taryh-Til, Balastan, KTRK Sport, Ala-Too 24
Radio: Birinci Radio, Kyrgyz Radiosu, Min Kyal FM, Dostuk, Baldar FM
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
NTRK was established by the Law on the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic, adopted in 2022. According to this law, NTRK became the legal successor of the Public Broadcasting Corporation (OTRK).
The newly introduced legislation also abolished the supervisory board and stipulated that the general director of the broadcaster should be appointed by the president.
Source of funding and budget
The government provides most of NTRK’s budget, with the remainder coming from commercial revenues. According to local estimates published in the media, NTRK receives approximately KGS 400m (US$5 m) annually from the government.
Editorial independence
Although media in Kyrgyzstan have generally enjoyed more media freedom than their peers in the Central Asian region, NTRK has always operated under strict government control in terms of its editorial coverage.
After a new law governing NTRK was passed in 2022, the broadcaster came under even more control, as its top executive is appointed directly by the president and the board of directors ceased to exist.
No domestic statute or independent assessment or oversight mechanism that establishes and validates NTRK’s editorial independence has been identified.
September 2024