Extend SEA Games Coverage, PM Tells TV Stations
TV stations have hurriedly extended SEA Games coverage after Prime Minister Hun Sen warned the national broadcaster its top officials would lose their jobs if they did not include matches between nations other than Cambodia. Photo: Chea Youkeang
- By Meng Seavmey
- May 1, 2023 5:15 PM
PHNOM PENH – TV stations have hurriedly extended SEA Games coverage after Prime Minister Hun Sen warned the national broadcaster its top officials would lose their jobs if they did not include matches between nations other than Cambodia.
“If you can’t broadcast the Games this evening, all of you will be fired,” he said on May 1. Some matches began before the official start of the Games on May 5.
After the PM’s instruction, broadcasting was extended to more matches, including Ok Chaktrong (Khmer chess), which are holding preliminary rounds.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new container terminal at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, he complained that there were no live streams of the sports on television.
“Yesterday, none of the channels I turned to was broadcasting football,” he said.
“I called the National Television of Cambodia, and they responded, ‘We only broadcast when the Cambodian team plays other countries’,” the Prime Minister said.
He said he was disappointed that matches among other countries were left out, as Cambodia was hosting the Games.
“The 32nd SEA Games will officially begin in a few days. Even the torch relay has become an important event in the provinces, and why didn’t you broadcast the match when the people wanted to watch it?” he added.
“Not only do the people need to see the results, but they also want to watch the games. So, you must broadcast the games from now on,” he said.
“Don’t spoil our event like this when you have all the materials you need for broadcasting.”
After the national television channels, the Prime Minister also called on the public television channels to live stream the Games, which end on May 17.
