Cambodia Clarifies Roles in Information and Telecommunications Sectors

Cambodia is advancing a draft inter-ministerial prakas to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in managing the media, telecommunications, and radio frequency sectors. This initiative aims to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation and enhance the efficiency of oversight and adherence to regulations. A joint meeting was held at the Ministry of Information on July 21, 2026, to thoroughly review the draft inter-ministerial prakas. The two ministries had previously reached an agreement on four key principles to bolster cooperation and clearly delineate their respective roles and responsibilities on March 25, 2026. During the recent meeting, two specific draft inter-ministerial prakases were examined: 1. A prakas on the management and technical standard setting for the use of equipment and apparatus serving the information, audiovisual, and telecommunications sectors. 2. A prakas on the allocation of radio frequency bands for broadcasting and audiovisual services, and the technical standard setting for the use of radio frequency bands. These drafts underwent detailed discussions to ensure that the regulations to be implemented are comprehensive and can effectively respond to the development of the information, audiovisual, and telecommunications sectors, thereby supporting the enhancement of management efficiency and public service delivery in these fields. According to the draft inter-ministerial prakas, the Ministry of Information will continue to be responsible for formulating development policies and strategies for the information and audiovisual sectors, as well as managing and supervising public and private media systems nationwide. It will also manage radio frequency bands reserved for broadcasting services, set technical standards for frequency usage in collaboration with relevant institutions, and be empowered to issue, suspend, or revoke licenses related to the information and broadcasting sectors. Furthermore, the Ministry of Information will manage the use of broadcasting signal transmission systems, antenna towers, and transmission power levels. It will also update and reallocate frequencies for broadcasting in line with technological evolution, socio-economic development needs, and the standards of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In parallel, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications will continue to be responsible for formulating national policies for the telecommunications sector and developing telecommunications infrastructure and networks. Its duties encompass the management of national radio frequency resources, satellite frequencies, and satellite orbital positions, as well as coordinating international frequency management affairs and registering the Kingdom of Cambodia's radio frequencies in the international radio frequency master list. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications will also collaborate with state institutions and the private sector in allocating and reallocating radio frequency resources in accordance with technological advancements and international standards. His Excellency Net Pheaktra, Minister of Information, stated that the draft inter-ministerial prakas aims to transform the agreement between the two ministries into an official legal instrument and to strengthen coordination in the implementation of each ministry's roles and responsibilities for greater effectiveness. He emphasized that under the agreed framework, the Ministry of Information will handle matters pertaining to the information and broadcasting sectors, while the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications will be responsible for the telecommunications sector and other matters falling under its legal jurisdiction. His Excellency also instructed the relevant working groups to review the draft inter-ministerial prakas comprehensively, focusing on clarity, implementability, alignment with the evolution of digital technology, and responsiveness to the actual needs of media and telecommunications development. Following review and improvements, the draft inter-ministerial prakas, initiated by the Ministry of Information, will be sent to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for joint review before being jointly signed and announced for implementation.