Cambodia, Open Source Center

(U//FOUO) Open Source Center Cambodian Media at a Glance

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

This product may contain copyrighted material; authorized use is for national security purposes of the United States Government only. Any reproduction, dissemination, or use is subject to the OSC usage policy and the original copyright.

OSC Media Aid: Cambodian Media at a Glance

SEF20090102463003 Cambodia — OSC Media Aid in English 02 Jan 09

Cambodian Media at a Glance

Low literacy (just over 60% of the population), poverty, poor infrastructure, and de facto government control of broadcast media shape the Cambodian media environment. The Constitution guarantees “freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly,” but human rights observers say journalists face intimidation.

According to a 2003 Asia Foundation survey, Cambodians consume the following forms of media more than three times a week:

  • Television: 52%
  • Radio: 38%
  • Newspapers, most of them pro-government: 9%

The country’s most important and popular television stations are state-run Cambodian National Television (TVK) and Cambodia Television Network (CTN), owned by Cambodian-Australian businessman Kit Meng, a strong supporter of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The top radio stations are FM 103, operated by Phnom Penh Municipality, and FM 95 Bayon, owned by Hun Sen until he passed it on in 2007 to his daughter Hun Mana. Bayon also broadcasts on television.

Notable newspapers include pro-government vernacular papers Koh Santepheap, Kampuchea Thmey, and Rasmei Kampuchea, with circulation ranging from 15,000 to 30,000; antigovernment vernacular newspaper Moneaksekar Khmer, with circulation ranging from 2,000 to 3,000; and small independent English-language newspapers The Cambodia Daily, The Mekong Times, and The Phnom Penh Post.

There are few government restrictions on Internet content, but usage is limited to a small urban minority in this largely rural nation. Websites of some importance include those maintained by former King Norodom Sihanouk and by KI Media.

Share this:

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail