Commentators have their say on end of The Post’s print publication
FOLLOWING the announcement that
The Phnom Penh Post, and Post Khmer, its Khmer language sister paper, will cease publication in print form on March 29, several social observers, government officials, intellectuals and readers were prompted to share their thoughts at the end of more than 30 years of a morning coffee staple.
Khieu Kanharith, former information minister
“It is most unfortunate, as I read this newspaper every day. I read almost every paper that is published in Cambodia because the information in each one complements the others. The loss of one paper may not affect the promotion of reading, but it does shrink the horizon of information.
“Despite the fast-paced world of digital technology and the rise of online journalism, the loss of a print media giant that ran for more than 30 years is really sad. I would be happy if The Phnom Penh Post continued to broadcast online. The cessation of the physical newspaper will not affect the freedom of the press, but could be a detrimental factor in the promotion of reading in Cambodia.”
“Personally, I regret the closure of the print edition of The Phnom Penh Post. This newspaper has maintained an excellent reputation for more than 30 years, so its absence will be felt by many readers. Despite technological advances and the transition to an online platform, information released in print form was a valuable part of The Post’s identity.
“Indeed, The Post is a newspaper that has earned the trust of its readers. I personally have learned new things, gained important information and heard many excellent opinions from The Post. I was a long-term reader of the paper, especially the print form, because it was a useful resource that I could archive. Websites and online platforms can be taken down or lost, so hard copies remain invaluable in my opinion. I regret the decision to cease the publication of the print edition and would like to see renewed investment in The Post, which allowed the print and online editions to run in tandem, as in the past decades.