Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday ordered local television stations to produce and air more shows featuring traditional performing arts during prime time hours.
The prime minister said an October Ministry of Information directive ordering media outlets to broadcast Cambodian-produced entertainment in place of foreign programming from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. had resulted in a glut of 1980s Cambodian films being featured in the slot.
“It’s fine for some local televisions to air films produced in the 1980s, but shows featuring Bassac and Yike theater should be filmed in collaboration with artists and aired at those times,” he said, speaking during an event at Chaktomuk Conference Hall in Phnom Penh to mark National Culture Day.
Mr. Hun Sen went on to call for companies to buy advertising during times when cultural shows were aired. “I appeal for all businesspeople who have products to advertise, please help contribute to place advertisements on the programs airing Khmer arts, movies, songs and other forms of arts,” he said.
