These are the ramblings of a former business journalist living in Southeast Asia for four months on a fellowship, to train local journalists.
I visited Vietnam and Laos before, but only briefly and many years ago. It is my first time to Cambodia. But the two countries, Cambodia and Vietnam, are like different planets --to the traveller, and to someone working in the media. Cambodia is a wild free for all, people still carry guns and engage in the occasional shootout (I heard from friends - didn't witness any shot myself). Newspapers and radio and TV stations are mostly privately owned but highly partisan. Journalists rant and even insult politicians in the press, and at times they can still get killed for it. In Vietnam, despite an explosion of online media, the government still owns and controls the media. Propaganda is not a bad word. Journalists are for the most part docile, uncritical of the government, and see themselves as partners with the government in "improving society." (whatever that means...U.S. journalists are trying to harm society? well some do). But within that cage, some journalists are trying to expand the discussion.
My posts here are not "official" reporting, just personal bits and pieces from my work and travels, written when I have time.
