Through a series of qualitative interviews with a range of media stakeholders, the
ultimate conclusion of this thesis is that the media landscape in Cambodia is diverse –
with some (mostly foreign-owned and run) able to operate freely and independently,
while others (most local Khmer media, particularly broadcast media) are not. While
media development activities over the course of the last 20 years have been clearly
beneficial to improving the quality of the media, many factors are preventing all media in
Cambodia from becoming free, independent and sustainable. A lack of political will,
improper legal intimidation, politicisation of the media, a lack of journalistic ethic and
professionalism (among some), unsupportive institutional frameworks, media illiteracy
among the broader population and little coordination of media development efforts are
just some of the barriers that hinder real improvement in this critical sector.
Efforts to improve the media landscape in Cambodia must be conducted alongside other
efforts to continue the transition to democracy as these efforts will – and must – overlap
if Cambodia and its media are to become truly democratic.