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Laopost Joins Lao Journalists Association as First Private Member

This Week

Laopost, a prominent Lao publication, has officially joined the Lao Journalists Association (LJA) as its first private-sector member, marking a major step for the Association, which was previously made up only of government-run media outlets.

Founded in 2013 to deliver timely and accurate news, the online news platform Laopost has grown steadily alongside the country’s evolving digital media landscape. 

It stands among the highest traffic Lao-language news publications nationwide, standing out at a time when much of Laos’ media presence remains centered primarily on social media, most notably Facebook. Along with its website, laopost.com, Laopost maintains a Facebook Page with over 318,000 followers and a growing TikTok channel that engages younger audiences.

Leveraging its strong social media following, Laopost frequently shares videos that generate significant engagement. One notable example was its early coverage of the weighing machine issue on the Vientiane–Vang Vieng highway, which garnered over 45,000 views and sparked widespread online debate. 

The machine reportedly displayed inaccurate weight readings, often higher than the vehicles’ actual weights, leading to drivers being overcharged. Following the report, highway authorities issued a public apology and pledged to resolve the problem.

Despite the importance of these social media channels, what makes Laopost different from other local media is its focus on protecting its original content independently.

“Laos is dominated by Facebook for content generation and distribution,” said Aditta Kittikhoun, internet and social media expert at Vientiane-based media conglomerate, RDK Group.

 “While Laopost fully participates in that ecosystem, we also believe it’s critical to hold on to our own Lao content. We want to control what happens to it, for ourselves and for future generations. And, for the integrity of our public record.”

This focus on proper reporting and preserving original content has become even more important now, as Facebook has announced it will remove Facebook LIVE videos, raising concerns about how long important content will remain available online.

This has become even more relevant after Facebook announced it would delete Facebook LIVE content, raising concerns over long-term content preservation.

Savankhone Razmountry, President of the Lao Journalists’ Association (LJA) (photo credit: Tousim Laos)

In welcoming Laopost, LJA President Savankhone Razmountry praised the decision as a positive step forward:

“We recognize Laopost’s contributions to expanding access to information for the Lao people, particularly through digital innovation,” said Savankhone Razmountry. “Its membership reflects the Association’s openness to new forms of journalism that serve the public interest while upholding professional standards.”

The Lao Journalists Association operates as a political and professional body under the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism. Laopost’s inclusion is seen as an important acknowledgment by the Lao government of the growing role private media plays in informing the public and contributing to national discourse.

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