Post office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia closed due to financial difficulties

Phnom Penh PostThe company, which has published in the Cambodian capital for more than three decades, said on Friday it would cease publishing its English and Khmer editions at the end of the month due to falling revenue and readership and the inability of shareholders to “afford such losses” . “

The site’s closure is another blow to Cambodia’s press freedom, which has been under pressure since former Prime Minister Hun Sen launched a government crackdown on political dissent about eight years ago.

Its management said in a statement: “Our shareholders have been trying to inject more capital and generate revenue through various means to restore the company’s financial position and continue to publish this independent, professional book that has been operating for more than 30 years. Newspaper.” , published in Friday Morning Edition.

The statement continued: “It is therefore with deep regret that our shareholders have decided to cease publication of the English and Khmer versions of the newspaper until 29 March 2024.”

Phnom Penh Post Americans Michael Hayes and Kathleen O’Keefe used $50,000 of their life savings to found the company in 1992, when United Nations peacekeepers arrived in Cambodia while the country was still at war.

It quickly became known for its tough independent journalism while remaining sympathetic to the Cambodian people and their tragic history. It’s also a proving ground for young journalists to launch their careers.

As the paper celebrates its 10th anniversary, Hayes said: “How this paper has survived having spent the past 10 years worrying about money every day and not taking a salary is an absolute mystery to me. “

In 2008, Hayes sold the newspaper to Australian mining magnate Bill Clough. This independence was maintained as the newspaper moved from a semi-monthly to a daily publication.

However, as the 2018 election approached, the paper hit an unaffordable tax bill and was sold to pro-government interests, namely Malaysian businessman Sivakumar S. Ganapathy, or Siva. Director of AsiaPR, a Malaysian public relations company.

Another independent newspaper, cambodia dailyIt was also shut down eight months ago after receiving an unexpected tax bill, with Free Press and civil rights activists saying both publications were forced to close because they were critical of the administration.

“Rapid advances in technology and the widespread dissemination of news on social media have also caused serious financial difficulties for companies,” Phnom Penh Post management said in a statement on Friday.

“The company’s revenue has declined significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession,” it said.

English-language newspapers have also been hurt by falling expat numbers, which began as the government cracked down on political dissent and accelerated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a sad day and it’s such a shame to see the print edition close. I think it’s been around for a while because it hasn’t been making any money for a long time. Even when I was in charge, it was Loss, maybe $20,000 a month or more,” former editor Alan Parkhouse said from his home in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand.

Parkhouse served as editor from 2011 to 2015, when the Post won 26 international awards.

“I’m very proud of it,” he told VOA. “At the same time, it’s a shame to see the Cambodian media collapse and no longer be critical of the government.”

“The standard of media in Cambodia has plummeted over the past few years, although it is regrettable to see reports like this. Phnom Penh Post It no longer does the hard news and breaking news that it was famous for,” he said.

Bradley Murg, a Cambodian researcher at the Honolulu-based research group Pacific Forum, echoed his sentiments.

“Although the glory days have passed, Phnom Penh Post It will be particularly missed as it was the last serious English-language media outlet in the Kingdom to provide in-depth economic and financial reporting,” he said.

southeast asia globeThe Phnom Penh-based magazine also announced in October that it was suspending its print edition due to financial difficulties, but its online edition remains.

Parkhouse noted that there was no mention of Phnom Penh PostManagement produced an online version when announcing the newspaper’s closure.

“But I heard the online version might stay,” he said.

spokesman Phnom Penh Post No further comments can be made.