Newspapers in Cambodia
Cambodia has no daily newspaper. The press has limited influence and rarely
reaches outside Phnom Penh. The largest newspapers have editions of 50,000
copies. The press has been largely free since the early 1990s, but violence
against journalists has occurred.
Radio and television have been dominated by the state, and thereby mainly by
the former Communist Party, the Cambodian People's Party. The state radio
broadcasts in Khmer, but also in English, French, Lao, Vietnamese and Thai.
There are also several private radio stations. The TV medium was built up with
the help of Vietnam and the Soviet Union. State Television Kampuchea
mainly reaches the capital with its surroundings. In 1993, a private television
channel owned by the state television in Thailand (IBC) and the Cambodian state
was added. There are 119 radio and 8 TV receivers per 1,000 residents (2000).
Culture
The Khmer culture originated in the Angkor
kingdom (800th to 14th centuries). During that period,
many magnificent temples were built, such as Angkor Vat,
the world's largest shrine. Buddhism also affects
culture and most traditional feasts are associated with
it.
The large temple complex of Angkor Vat has a strong
symbolic value to the Khmer and appears as a symbol in
many public contexts.
The Angolan kingdom was strongly influenced by India.
This is noticed, for example, by the oldest work in the
Khmer language is the epic Reamker, a Cambodian version
of the Indian Ramayana epic.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Cambodia, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
The first printed work on Khmer was the book Pantan
Ta Mas (Grandfather's Advice), published in 1908. In the
1930s and 1940s, several well-known novels were
published, including Sophat (The Hero's Name) by Rim
Kin. Sophat was also set up as a theater play.
Under the rule of the Red Khmer in the 1970s, all
cultural life was allowed to give way to tributes to the
regime, but since then cultural activities, not least
the traditional ones, have been encouraged. Dance, music
and craftsmanship has gained momentum. Temples have been
restored, new houses have been built in traditional
style and the old holidays are celebrated.
One internationally renowned artist was Vann Nath
(1946–2011) who was particularly noted in connection
with his testimony in the trial of the prison chief Duch
at the Tribunal against the Red Khmer leaders 2009–2010
(see Political system). Vann Nath himself was a prisoner
in the infamous prison and was then forced to paint
pictures of Pol Pot. After its release in 1979, Vann
Nath mainly painted motives from prison time.
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Songaah: List and lyrics of songs related to the country name of Cambodia. Artists and albums are also included.
The documentary filmmaker Rithy Panh was also hit
hard during the Red Khmer rule and has dealt with the
terror and its aftermath in a number of works. In "The
missing picture" the country's bloody history is
depicted by a mix of news clips and clay animations. The
film won a special award in 2013 at the Cannes Film
Festival and was also nominated for an Oscar for Best
Foreign Film.
Theater and shadow play are common folk pleasures.
2020
April
The strategy against the pandemic is being called into question
April 24
The government states that no new cases of covid-19 have been detected in the
last twelve days. The country has only 122 confirmed cases of corona-infected
persons and no deaths. Cambodia passed a new law on April 10 that gives the
government the right to introduce a special state of emergency to combat the
spread of infection, but the law has not yet been applied. The government has
been criticized internationally for the country's strategy against the pandemic
is unclear and many analysts question the low rates of sickness and death. The
World Health Organization WHO has said that Cambodia is likely to be in the
early stages of the pandemic. Cambodia has imposed some restrictions on the
pandemic, but the government's highest priority is to keep the manufacturing
industry running for the sake of the economy. According to the Minister of
Labor, 95 percent of the textile and shoe factories are running as usual.
Restrictions are introduced
April 6
Hun Sen and his government are criticized for responding slowly to the threat
of the corona pandemic. However, it has ordered restaurants, bars and casinos to
close and it has become more difficult to get an entry visa to Cambodia.
Support for the fight against the corona pandemic
2 April
Cambodia receives a $ 1.9 billion rescue package from the World Bank. The
amount is to be distributed among 25 developing countries and is a contribution
to the fight against the spread of the new corona virus, which has caused a
pandemic. Cambodia is awarded $ 20 million.
February
The EU abolishes trade benefits
February 12
The EU withdraws some of the trade benefits enjoyed by Cambodia on the Union
market through the Everything but arms (EBA) trade agreement. The restriction
involves fees of around one-fifth of the country's annual exports to the EU and
will entail increased costs for Cambodia of $ 1.5 billion. The decision is made
as a consequence of growing democratic shortcomings in Cambodia, such as
political repression of opposition and inadequate labor law (see Democracy and
Rights).
January
The trial of Kem Sokha begins
January 15
The trial of Kem Sokha, leader of the banned and now dissolved opposition
party CNRP, begins. He was arrested and detained in 2017, charged with treason.
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