LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate The Phnom Penh Post Left Biased based on editorial positions and story selection that favors the left. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to poor sourcing techniques and the promotion of pro-government propaganda.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: Cambodia
Press Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Established in 1992, initially as a fortnightly newspaper, The Phnom Penh Post is a newspaper headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Phnom Penh Post covers current affairs, politics, lifestyle, entertainment, and sports. Michael Hayes and Kathleen O’Keefe, are the founders, and the current owner is Sivakumar Ganapthy.
Funded by / Ownership
Malaysian investor Sivakumar Ganapthy is the current owner. He acquired The Phnom Penh Post in 2018 from Australian owner Bill Clough. The Phnom Penh Post is funded through a paid subscription and advertising model.
Analysis / Bias
Hun Sen is the current Prime Minister of Cambodia (since 1985). He is also president of the left-wing Cambodian People’s Party (ruling political party of Cambodia since 1979.)
Reuters described the paper before its sale to Ganapthy as an “English-language daily, which has been largely critical of the government.” A quote from the article reads, “The purchase of The Phnom Penh Post by a Malaysian whose public relations firm lists Cambodia’s long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen as a client is a “disaster” for media freedom ahead of a general election, an international rights group said on Monday.” After the sale, the Editor-in-Chief and some of its staff were fired.
In review, The Phnom Penh Post publishes articles with emotionally loaded headlines mostly praising the current Prime Minister Hun Sen with “positive” coverage such as “Hun Sen celebrates women’s rights” and “Hun Sen asks Cambodians to believe in government” or “Hun Sen not afraid of travelling to epicentre of coronavirus outbreak”. International news comes from two primary sources, either AFP or the Asia News Network. When it comes to sourcing, they rely on quotes rather than hyperlinks.
Editorially, a review of opinion pieces reveals that more favor the left such as this It is time for those who have the most to pay the most. Further, the paper does not criticize the left-wing ruling party. In general, national and international news is rooted in fact; however, there is a significant omission of negative coverage of the government resulting in the promotion of propaganda.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate The Phnom Penh Post Left Biased based on editorial positions and story selection that favors the left. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to poor sourcing techniques and the promotion of pro-government propaganda. (12/1/2016) Updated (M. Huitsing 01/18/2023)
Source: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/
Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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