Opinion
Faint hope for success of CLMV
The opening of Cambodia to the world market as a new member of the World Trade Organization gives this poor country some hope, if not much, to improve its economy. However, I am a bit concerned over the newly announced ASEAN regional economic bloc (CLMV) that comprises Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Regardless of the real political motive behind this economic bloc, I wonder how it will benefit Cambodia, as it reminds me of a Khmer tale about two poor men who were engaged in business cooperation.
One poor man, as the tale is told, made his living by selling palm wine and another sold fried fresh-water shrimps on skewers as his livelihood. (more…)
Filed under: Press Freedom
The roles and responsibilities of the Khmer media
By Moeun Chhean Nariddh
The recent wave of defamation lawsuits involving the media and the government makes it the right time to review the roles of the media and its responsibilities in a fragile democracy like Cambodia.
Like the media in other democratic nations around the world, the fundamental roles the Khmer media play are to inform, to educate and to entertain the public.
During the last more than 10 years since the UN-sponsored elections in 1993, scores of functioning newspapers mushroomed, followed by the establishment of private radio and TV stations. Regardless of the quality of their products and their political affiliations, different Cambodian news organizations have done a tremendous job to fulfill the three roles. (more…)
