A requirement for TV stations to broadcast only Cambodian-produced content between 7pm and 9pm every day, due to come into force today, has received a mixed reaction from industry figures.

Copyright coordinator at the Motion Picture Association of Cambodia, Ung Nareth, said that as long as the law failed to protect media companies’ content rights, there would be insufficient home-grown material to fill the time slot.

“It’s a waste of time. There isn’t Cambodian content to show, because there isn’t the production of this material due to the absence of copyright laws,” he said. “Any movie house in Cambodia can show a film and they don’t have to pay any royalties or fee.”

But film producer and director Chay Bora said the time to enforce the content rule was now. “The ministry has given the channels a long time to get ready for this change, but they have not acted,” he said.

“A 30-minute Cambodian drama costs $1,500 to $3,000 to make, but if they buy one abroad they pay as little as $500.”