Parties slug it out in rare TV debate

Breaking into a medium almost universally controlled by the ruling party, acting opposition president Kem Sokha squared off yesterday against rival legislators during the filming of what may well have been Cambodia’s first televised national election debate. The debate at the state-run TVK studios, which featured questions from the audience, represents one of the biggest opportunities the Cambodia National Rescue Party has had to give an in-depth dissemination of its platform, while at the same time responding directly to that of its chief opponent, which it has long criticised for avoiding debates. “I think this kind of debate is of a very great benefit, especially for the opposition party, given the fact that the opposition has little access to the broadcast media, particularly TV,” said Moeun Chhean Nariddh, director of the Cambodia Institute for Media Studies. “I think many Cambodians, particularly those who cannot read or write, love to watch TV,” he continued, adding that this was especially true in the countryside, where the Cambodian People’s Party has historically enjoyed strong support. …

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/parties-slug-it-out-rare-tv-debate