The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is encouraging Cambodian YouTubers to produce more creative, original and “useful” video content.

This statement was made on August 20 at the Be Professional YouTubers webinar, conducted via Google Meet and live-streamed on the ministry’s YouTube channel.

The workshop was attended by 2,100 participants, including guest speakers from YouTube Inc and parent company Google Inc, as well as prominent local and foreign YouTube content creators.

Delivering a speech at the workshop, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth highlighted that the event would feature tips and tricks on content creation shared by speakers from YouTube, and discussion on the platform’s community guidelines.

“Online sharing and video platforms have been around for the last decades, but with the arrival of smartphones and more comfortable connectivity, the number of digital media consumers have grown exponentially over the past five years,” he said.

The minister encouraged Cambodian digital content creators to understand YouTube’s policies and standards so that the Kingdom can join the YouTube Partner Programme soon and enable the option to monetise videos.

The ministry noted in a previous statement that YouTube removed advertisements in more than 90 countries – including Cambodia – as it revised its advertising policies, seeking to improve the platform’s content and oblige content producers to meet its YouTube Partner Programme requirements to earn advertising revenue.

It said advertisements will continue to be offered through the programme in the countries where it is available.

As of August 23, Cambodia is not on the YouTube Partner Programme availability list.

The minister added: “YouTube is one of, if not the biggest of these videos streaming platforms connecting creators to viewers far and wide who are able to access the content for free.

“Not only does it provide a creative outlet for artists and creators of all different backgrounds and specialties, but it also serves as a platform where awareness on issues can be raised and social change can be brought about by just one video,” Vandeth said.

Talented young individuals the world over are being discovered by industry big-shots through video-sharing websites such as YouTube, and embarking on professional careers. Business too are flourishing through marketing and promotions on these platforms.

Jia Wen Chuah, head of industry at Google, said over two billion people come to YouTube every month, logging one billion hours in daily watch time.

“YouTube is where people find a way to practice self-care and YouTube is where people find a way to connect over shared interests,” she said.