Cambodian Magazines: More Drawbacks than Good
By: Vicheka Lay
Indeed, I do appreciate the openness to public opinion and other mental curiosity of the Cambodian government, and this is the message to reveal the world; specifically Cambodia, that nearly all of the magazines based in Cambodia are converting the genuine good-faith of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia into their lucrative purpose.
I do not know the exact number of magazines based in Cambodia, but as a translator, author, media liaison officer, former assistant to a Member of Parliament, and L.L.B student, I dare to say that I may know almost the total number of magazines which have their headquarters in Cambodia.
All most all of the magazines use “sex-oriented” methodology to attract subscribers, especially youth and young adults. As we know, sex is probably one of the lucrative businesses in our world, and because knowing this psychological circulation, nearly all of the magazines have turned the clean purpose of their opportunities into a lucrative business without thinking of any repercussion.
Cambodia lacks behind other Southeast Asian countries in term of human resources, because of this merits, magazines are expected to be the frontrunners in diversifying knowledge and know-how to Cambodian fellow citizens; however, this vision is non-existent, because of “profit-oriented” mindset.
I do not say that “sex-oriented” magazines should not be authorized to operate in Cambodia, but we must make a balance on this decision. In the case of the United States of America, education-oriented publications are grandly diverse, but Cambodia is truly in need of much and much more human resources: sex may stand in the second hierarchy.
I found many more negatives aspects in magazines, but the purpose of this article is to reveal “the upside-down” use of this media publication.
Finally yet importantly, I would like to suggest all the magazines in Cambodia to steer their business to more educational surroundings.
Lay Vicheka is a translator for the most celebrated translation agency in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Pyramid Translation Co.Ltd.. He is now hoding other two professions: freelance writer for Search Newspaper; focusing on social issues and students’ issues and Media Liaison Officer for Asia’s first free on-line IELTS consultation website. Lay Vicheka is the expert author for ezine and prolific article contributor to other websites around the world such as articlecity, 365articles, spiderden, talesofasia, etc (Just google him). He is also a volunteer Cambodian-newspapers columnist (Rasmey Kampuchea and Kampuchea Thmey). Lay Vicheka has great experience in law and politics, as he used to be legal and English-language assistant to a Cambodian member of parliament, migration experience (home-based business) and in writing. He is also member of a New York-based research company. Posting address: 221H Street 93, Tuol Sangke quarter, Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Tel: 855 11 268 445, vichekalay@yahoo.com