Kampuchea Thmey Daily
Kampuchea Thmey Daily is a Cambodian news outlet that operates both a print edition and a digital news portal. Known for its close alignment with the country’s political elite, the outlet maintains a significant presence in the national media landscape.
Media assets
Publishing: Kampuchea Thmey Daily
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Since 2020, Kampuchea Thmey Daily has been owned by Hun Mana, the eldest daughter of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, VIA Kampuchea Thmey Daily Co., Ltd.
The newspaper is managed through her wider media interests, and its governance structure remains opaque, with no available information indicating the existence of an independent board or editorial committee. The ownership link places the outlet firmly within Cambodia’s broader landscape of politically affiliated media.
Source of funding and budget
The newspaper’s primary source of income is advertising revenue, much of which is believed to stem from businesses with strong ties to government networks. While direct state subsidies are not publicly documented, several local media experts and journalists interviewed for this report in May 2024 and April 2025 assert that Kampuchea Thmey Daily likely receives indirect financial support from government-associated entities. Nevertheless, such funding is not believed to exceed half of the outlet’s total budget. The lack of transparency in financial disclosures prevents any precise estimation of public versus private funding sources.
Editorial independence
Editorial content at Kampuchea Thmey Daily reflects a clear political alignment. The publication consistently refrains from criticizing Prime Minister Hun Manet, the son of Hun Sen, and its coverage is broadly supportive of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). This editorial posture has led to widespread perceptions of the outlet functioning as a pro-government mouthpiece.
To date, no legal statutes or internal codes guaranteeing editorial independence have been made public. Nor is there any indication of oversight by an independent media council or regulatory body. Journalists working for the newspaper operate in a context where institutional protections for editorial autonomy are effectively non-existent.
July 2025