NEWSPAPER WAR IN CAMBODIA; CAMBODIA DAILY FIRES BLANKS BULLETS AT PHNOM PENH POST.
May 3rd 2008 11:30
The newspaper industry in Cambodia is hotting up with the entry into the sector of the sell-financially backed new Phnom Penh Post which will is now planning a daily edition.
This has rattled the cage of the Cambodia Daily which, until recently was the only English-language show in town and therefore got the lion’s share of advertising revenue.
But its production values and content are minimal and some critics say it has had a free rein for too long. Other critics say that its although it is a private enterprise business it has received funding as an NGO and has blurred the lines regarding the ethical nature f such a business model.
“To the staff;
I understand that the Phnom Penh Post is approaching our staff and aiming to recruit then to join their newspaper and jump ship. I would like to tell you that I would consider such a move treason and would regard anybody who has moved or is moving, a person who is no longer on my good list.
The Phnom Penh Post is the enemy.
Michael Hayes, its founder and publisher declared war on me from the inception of the Cambodia daily and has never stopped to harm us and me. It began in 1993 after I tried to persuade him to publish a daily newspaper and even gave him a printing press which he rejected on the grounds that it was impossible to publish a daily newspaper.
After I started the Daily, he considered us unfair competition and even went as far as to write to the publishers of the New York Times and Washington Post to stop providing us news free of charge as they wished to support their aim to further the case of a free press and create an informed electorate.
Therefore anyone who is working for us or recently worked for me who moves to the Post and/or uses information gained in their jobs here or contacts made through us to the advantage of the Post may also be breaking confidentiality and clauses that are assumed when a person uses such knowledge to the advantage of a competing employer.
I would like you all to know that if you respect The Cambodia Daily, what is stands for, what its has contributed to Cambodia and if you respect me, you will consider seriously any move to the Post at this time. I would consider it personal betrayal if anyone makes such a move now.
Best regards
Bernard Krishner
American Assistance for Cambodia.”
The memo quickly appeared on a Phnom Penh-based blog, eliciting the following responses:
A POV said:
”Making veiled threats to employees in a company memo is a sign of weak leadership.
It is normal and natural for all of us to aspire to new, more challenging positions and earn more money as we progress on our chosen career path.
Strong leadership inspires, challenges and compensates its employees accordingly for helping the company improve its product, content and revenue.
In this instance, the Phnom Penh Post is likely going daily based, in part, on the fact the Cambodian Daily has such shallow local coverage. While I have been impressed by some of the well written local work, I think of the Cambodian Daily as a ‘cut-and-paste’ after thought where they wait for the NGO’s to call to place their ads, then call it a day.
If I ran the Phnom Penh Post, my assessment would be the Cambodian Daily is asleep at the wheel and now is the time to not only compete on a daily basis, but knock them out of the box entirely.
After reading this memo, I will see the Cambodia Daily less regularly.”
Anthony Galloway said, “Competition is healthy. At least the PP Post is running as a business as opposed to the Cambodia Daily which is run under the shadow as an NGO with funding … Bernie maybe it’s time to check out of the suite at the Intercon and come down to the real world instead of your funded ivory tower.”
(Anthony Galloway is an Australian publisher in Phnom penh who is about to publish a weekly entertainment freesheet.)
Khmerization says, “There should be good news for defections to the opposition sides. After all, Cambodia media need a balance.”
DISCLOSURE: Peter Olszewski is an employee of the Phnom Penh Post.
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