Radio Cambodge was established in 1946 in Phnom Penh, which was then under French administration. Following Cambodia’s independence, the broadcaster became Radiodiffusion Nationale Khmère (RNK). In 1994, the Ministry of Information assumed oversight of RNK and National Television of Cambodia (TVK), which were previously operated as two distinct entities.
Media assets
Radio: National- AM 918, Wat Phnom; Regional- Tbong Khmum, Kampong Speu, Ratanakiri, Pailin, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Takeo, Battambang, Sihanoukville, Banteay Meanchey, Phnom Penh, Mondulkiri, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Pursat, Svay Rieng, Kep, Stung Treng, Kampot, Siem Reap
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
RNK is accountable to and administered by the Ministry of Information, in accordance with the legal provisions set forth in Sub-Decree No. 70 on the regulation of broadcasting in Cambodia.
Source of funding and budget
RNK receives financial support from the government. Local journalists and experts interviewed for this report in March 2024 confirmed that its personnel are on the payroll of the Ministry of Information.
Editorial independence
RNK operates as a fully state-run entity, with no mechanisms in place to guarantee its journalists’ editorial independence, according to local journalists interviewed in March 2024.
No statute that establishes RNK’s editorial independence has been identified during the latest round of research, the station’s work being closely supervised by the Ministry of Information.
The latest research has not identified an independent oversight or assessment mechanism to validate RNK’s editorial independence. The station’s work is closely supervised by the Ministry of Information.
September 2024