Established in 1971, the Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) is the principal public broadcaster in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It delivers content in both Arabic and English and oversees Radio Bahrain, which operates six radio stations, and Bahrain TV, which manages six television channels. BRTC plays a central role in the country’s media ecosystem, functioning as the government’s primary audiovisual channel.
Media assets
Television: Bahrain TV, Bahrain International, Bahrain Sport 1, Bahrain Sport 2
Radio: Radio Bahrain, Bahrain FM, Bahrain Radio 96.5, Indian Radio
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
BRTC is wholly owned by the Government of Bahrain and operates under the jurisdiction of the Information Affairs Authority (IAA)—Bahrain’s official communications ministry. The IAA exercises complete administrative and editorial control over BRTC, including its organizational structure, staffing, and strategic direction. Senior leadership positions at BRTC are appointed by royal decree, underscoring the broadcaster’s firm alignment with the ruling establishment.
Insights from Bahraini media professionals and regional experts consulted for this report confirm that BRTC’s governance framework lacks institutional independence. The broadcaster functions as an extension of state policy, and decision-making remains highly centralized within the IAA.
Omar Khalifa Shaheen is the current Chief Executive Officer of Radio Bahrain Company, the radio arm of BRTC. He has held the role since around 2021 and continues to lead its modernization and digital transformation efforts.
Source of funding and budget
BRTC’s financial structure is predominantly reliant on state subsidies disbursed through the IAA. Estimates from Bahraini journalists and media analysts suggest that over 60% of BRTC’s operating budget comes from public funding. The remainder is supplemented by revenue from advertising, though this constitutes a minor share and is largely constrained by the broadcaster’s political alignment and limited commercial autonomy.
As of June 2025, no major reforms to BRTC’s funding model or diversification strategies have been reported, and transparency regarding its financial statements remains limited.
Editorial independence
BRTC is widely regarded as a government-aligned broadcaster with minimal editorial autonomy. Its programming consistently reflects the official positions of the Bahraini government, and its editorial output is seen as a vehicle for state messaging rather than independent journalism.
The broadcaster’s role during the 2011 Bahraini uprising remains emblematic of its close cooperation with state security apparatuses. BRTC was publicly criticized for aiding authorities in identifying protest participants, many of whom faced severe repercussions. More than a decade later, according to expert assessments, this symbiotic relationship between BRTC and the government remains unchanged.
To date, there is no domestic legislation or independent regulatory mechanism that guarantees BRTC’s editorial independence or subjects it to credible oversight. External evaluations consistently underscore the lack of safeguards against government interference, placing BRTC at odds with international standards for public service broadcasting.
July 2025