Planning is well underway for Siem Reap’s first TV station, which will be started by the Ministry of Information in conjunction with an as yet unnamed company.

The new ministry director in Siem Reap, Keo Pichnimal, said preparations are being made for hiring support staff and the installation of equipment, with a rough working deadline of April 2010.

He said, “We are still in negotiations with the company that will implement this and the final timing will depend on them.”

Plans also include a new FM radio station.

On September 12 Information Minister Khieu Kanarith announced new broadcast plans to provide a wider choice of quality media in the region.

He said, “We will open a television station with two-KW broadcasting power and an FM radio station with five-KW power in Siem Reap province to serve the needs of information for the local residents.”

The broadcast area will include all of Siem Reap province and extend into parts of Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Kampong Thom provinces.

The director said there will be a strong educational element to the new broadcasts, with anti-drug messages featuring heavily and programmes about temples so that locals will have more expertise to pass onto tourists.