in a letter sent to the cambodian television network (ctn) on thursday, the ministry said that the tv show, named "kou preng chamlek", --meaning "strange married couple" promoted a negative response from viewers. the plot of the program, which aired three times per week, revolved around rich men making bids for wives.
"it shows the auctioning of women to be the wives for rich people, comparing them to people buying or selling animals," the phnom penh post quoted the letter as saying. "it degrades khmer tradition and devalues women's reputations and dignity."
"broadcasters must respect the law on information, customs, tradition, morality and order... and advise the ministry of information to avoid wrongdoing," the letter added.
ctn deputy general manager pol vibo said in response to the letter that the network would no longer televise the series.
"even though ctn is a private company, it works under the law," he was quoted by the phnom penh post as saying. "it has to respect the law and preserve national traditions and culture."
