Khmer Times
The Khmer Times commenced as an online publication in early 2014 and swiftly expanded its operations. Within a year, it had transitioned into a weekly print edition, and by 2015, it evolved into a daily newspaper, carving out a visible presence in Cambodia’s competitive media landscape.
Media assets
Publishing: Khmer Times
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The Khmer Times is owned by Mohan Tirugmanasam Bandam, a Malaysian businessman with longstanding business and political connections in Cambodia, alongside his daughter, Ashwini Rajkumari Mohan. Mr. Mohan is widely recognized for his close personal and professional ties to senior figures within the Cambodian government, a fact that continues to raise questions about the publication’s independence.
Source of funding and budget
The owner has publicly stated that the newspaper is financially sustained through commercial avenues, primarily advertising revenue. Nevertheless, the Khmer Times has faced recurrent allegations and scandals suggesting otherwise. Reports from media observers and local journalists indicate that the newspaper may have received indirect financial support from state resources—likely facilitated by the owner’s proximity to government circles.
Editorial independence
The editorial posture of the Khmer Times has long mirrored the political sympathies of its ownership. The publication frequently adopts a tone that is overtly supportive of the government. Accounts suggest that critical coverage—particularly of powerful business interests or governmental policies—has been selectively edited or removed from the website, pointing to clear evidence of editorial interference.
There is no publicly available documentation indicating the existence of formal editorial statutes, nor is there any known mechanism for independent editorial oversight. In the absence of such safeguards, concerns about the newspaper’s autonomy and credibility persist.
July 2025