National Television of Cambodia (TVK)
The National Television of Cambodia (TVK) serves as the country’s flagship state broadcaster. Founded in 1966 and rebranded under its current name in 1993, TVK operates as a government-run media entity and holds a central role in Cambodia’s official broadcasting ecosystem. Its output spans both radio and television platforms, with an estimated dozen channels under its umbrella. As the audiovisual arm of the state, TVK disseminates programming that aligns closely with government messaging.
Media assets
Television: National- TVK1, TVK2; Regional- TVK Battambang, TVK Koh Kong, TVK Kratie, TVK Pursat, TVK Ratanakiri, TVK Mondulkiri, TVK Siem Reap, TVK Sihanoukville, TVK Stung Treng, TVK Preah Vihear
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
TVK is fully owned and operated by the Cambodian government and falls under the direct administrative control of the Ministry of Information. Its regulatory framework is defined by Sub-Decree No. 70, which lays out the responsibilities and oversight structure for broadcast media in Cambodia. In practice, this arrangement places TVK’s strategic direction, personnel appointments, and editorial priorities firmly under ministerial authority.
Khim Vuthy serves as Director General of TVK, leading its news operations and strategic deployment of new broadcasting technology.
Source of funding and budget
TVK is predominantly funded through public subsidies. Its operating budget is allocated annually by the national government and disbursed through the Ministry of Information. According to Cambodian media analysts and journalists interviewed in January-February 2024, and again in March 2025, TVK staff are considered civil servants and their salaries are paid directly by the ministry.
While there are occasional reports of advertising and sponsored content, these represent a minor share of TVK’s overall revenue stream and do not significantly offset its reliance on state funding. No detailed, disaggregated public budget for TVK’s 2024 operations was made available as of June 2025.
Editorial independence
TVK lacks a statutory framework or formal mechanism that guarantees its editorial independence. Its news coverage is routinely aligned with official narratives, and the station remains subject to strict ministerial oversight. The absence of an independent board or external regulator has raised persistent concerns among press freedom advocates, particularly regarding the outlet’s role during election periods and in coverage of opposition parties.
July 2025