Information minister Neth Pheaktra addresses the Second Media Development Conference on December 19. TVK
A total of $170 million has been spent on digital advertising in 2024, marking a growth of over 200 per cent, while the number of media outlets has decreased from over 2,000 to just over 1,000, largely due to financial challenges.
Speaking at the Second Media Development Conference on Thursday, Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra noted that in 2016, $116 million was spent on advertising through traditional media, such as radio, television, newspapers and magazines. However, in 2024, spending on traditional media advertising dropped to just $80 million.
The December 19 forum, organised by the information ministry and UNESCO, featured the theme “Strengthening Freedom of Expression in the Digital Era”.
“At the same time, we saw a significant rise in digital advertising expenditure. In 2016, only half a million dollars were spent on digital platforms, but by 2024, the figure had surged to approximately $170 million,” said the minister.
He highlighted this shift in the media landscape, with traditional platforms being replaced by digital ones.
He warned that media outlets that fail to integrate into the digital framework face closure.
Some media outlets have successfully adapted, merging traditional and modern platforms, which allows them to remain viable.
However, he noted that “Advertising revenue has also decreased due to the economic crisis”.
As of now, Cambodia has 1,620 licensed media entities, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, websites and online platforms, with 875 being online TV outlets, he added.
“In the past, we registered more than 2,000 outlets, but now there are 1,620. The updated figures are because some media units, especially online ones, have shut down one after another because they sometimes went bankrupt. Notably, we see challenges related to the status of the financial sector, especially within the framework of traditional media,” he said.
Cambodia has over 10,000 journalists, with more than 8,000 holding ministry-issued identification cards, he added.
Information ministry undersecretary of state Sles Alfin pointed out that rural populations still rely on traditional media, making its decline a concern as it affects public access to information.
The ministry, he added, has supported the media by offering 50 per cent discounts on licensing fees, tax exemptions for small enterprises for five years and free legal support, including lawyers and advice for journalists facing legal issues. Health support for journalists is also provided.
Pheaktra also noted that modern social media plays an important role in providing information to the public, especially Facebook, which has more than 14 million accounts, and TikTok, with about 10 million accounts. Looking at the media in modern times, a Facebook account or a tuk-tuk can be considered a news unit.
“For 17 million people, there are more than 25 million accounts, or units. If all 25 million were active, it would be too many, but we do not believe that they are all active. We estimate that 20 to 40 per cent of them are active, but 40 per cent of 25 million is still a lot,” he added.
He highlighted that while Cambodia’s population is around 17 million, over 24 million mobile phone SIM cards are in use, as many individuals use two or three SIMs.
