The media can become "a knife that cuts both ways"

Just in case there was any doubt about freedom of the press in Cambodia, the DPM has answered that question.

Deputy Prime Mr. Sok An emphasized that media are an active agent to provide information, with the goal of providing facts and to mirror the society, in order to help correct extreme activities in society which are influenced from outside, so that they return to more appropriate ones, not to affect the value of our cultures, traditions, or the high moral of society, and to maintain national identity, so that it can survive under the influence of the currents of globalization. Due to this role, the media have to be at the same time conservers and developers of society with specific and appropriate goals.

“Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sok An continued to point out that the media can also be a ‘knife that cuts both ways,’ because they can be an enemy of social development, and they can lead the nation into trouble, if they are not used appropriately in their role, by neglecting the aspect of the possibility of having a bad influence. Considering this, how should we arrange the media in order to maintain their role and high effectiveness in social development?

“However, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sok An expects that after this seminar, the media, especially radio and television, will move further to new successes in the development of the national society, the maintenance of stability and peace, and of the values of the national cultures and traditions.”(Source)

Yes indeed, how can we best control the media to reflect the opinion of the government? How can we get all these pesky reporters to go after the opposition and sing our praises? How do maintain the traditions of asking no questions, obeying orders and never questioning authority? Well how about intimidation and corruption! Or warnings from the second most powerful man in the land!

To control the media, is to control the voice of the people. Without a voice, democracy does not function. The Cambodian people want a democracy so why is the rich elite aiming for a plutocracy? Because they can, I suppose. It's really quite disheartening to see the slow careful demolition of democracy.