Kith Meng, chairman of the Cambodian News Channel and Royal Group, speaks during the launch of the new TV station yesterday. Photograph: Hong Menea/Phnom Penh Post

The Cambodian Broadcasting Service launched the Kingdom’s first 24-hour news channel, Cambodian News Channel, to great fanfare last night at its new studios.

During the launch, Kith Meng, chairman of both Royal Group and the new channel, said this news channel would further the development of Cambodia.

“We created this channel to help [the government] broadcast the progress and [the nation’s] development. We serve people who like news,” he said, adding that the initial US$15 million put into the station had beaten his estimate by some $9 million.

Kith Meng also announced during the launch that “in 2012, we are considering running a newspaper, but we are now finding a name for the newspaper. We name it to make the audience or readers like our name”.

Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, said that Kith Meng had been wanting to create a 24-hour news channel for the past three years, but was similarly held up in finding a name.

“News has become a need in Cambodians’ lives, because people want to know about political changes, development inside and outside the country,” Kanharith said.

Pa Nguon Teang, director of Cambodia Center for Independent Media, said that although CNC is new, the broadcaster will still be pro-government.

“This does not help our country make progress,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Chhay Channyda at [email protected]