The elections of 2013 should have been a wakeup call, not only for the Cambodia’s ruling Cambodian People Party (CPP), but also for its allies in the traditional media. In its previous mandates, the CPP was able to effectively shape public opinion in its favor courtesy of its domination of the mainstream media, including local television, radio and newspapers, which more or less served as government mouthpieces. The rapid proliferation of these outlets in the aftermath of the UNTAC elections meant greater dissemination of the government’s policies, activities and accomplishments, and greater alienation of opposition criticism.
Partisan information together with a “muted” political culture and a post-traumatic mentality made most Cambodians apolitical, shying away from policy debates or challenges to the status quo. As a result, prior to the recent 2013 elections, the ruling party could count on increasing support from Cambodia’s electorates at the expense of ever weaker opposition parties.
That situation started to change, however, a few months before the 2013 elections. Many Cambodians began to break out of their culture of fear, silence and political ignorance and embrace civic engagement. They are participating in opposition campaigns, demonstrations, and the elections themselves. The public domain has become a place for political discussion and the expression of dissatisfaction with the government, despite threats and warnings from the authorities. As a result, it comes as no surprise that the ruling party majority in the National Assembly was heavily reduced—from 90 in 2008 to 68 in 2013—with the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) benefiting.
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