Wednesday, August 16, 2006

CTN's self-censorship to satisfy a "one-man" audience


Wednesday, August 16, 2006
News Program That Angered Hun Sen Officially Replaced

By Lor Chandara
THE CAMBODIA DAILY


CTN television's popular news program hosted by influential anchor Soy Sopheap was officially replaced Monday, just weeks after falling afoul of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"Kampuchea Today," which featured the reading of articles from local newspapers and interviews with guests occasionally critical of the government was taken off the air Aug 3.

Hun Sen had objected the day before to the show's reading of an Economic Institute of Cambodia report which found that, due to corruption, Cambodia may be losing up to $400 million a year in uncollected tax revenue.

On Monday, the show's time slot, from 6:30 am to 7:30 am, was filled by a new show, "New Day From CTN."

An afternoon news analysis show, also hosted by Soy Sopheap, has likewise been replaced by the program "Our Society Today."

CTN news editor Som Chhaya refused to comment Tuesday on Hun Sen's criticism, adding that the two programs were replaced to satisfy general audience demands.

"It's a new image and background for CTN because we want new productions to satisfy the needs of audiences," Som Chhaya said. He added that Soy Sopheap will continue as a regular reporter for the network.

Som Chhaya said that the withdrawal of "Kampuchea Today" was a decision made by network owner and local media tycoon Kith Meng. Kith Meng, who is also president of the Phnom Penh Chamber of Commerce, declined to comment on his decision Tuesday.

Soy Sopheap also declined to comment.

Former Center for Social Development president Chea Vannath, who discussed corruption on the show on two occasions, said the CTN show was more independent than other programs.

"Television stations don't play their role in informing the public with independent news," she said. "CTN brought about something brand new in informing the public, but it has lost it again."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

None of any businessman dare to face Hun Sen, even CTN station who its owner use to live in Australia which it is democracy country but when it comes to money, reputation and power, democracy is longer exist in the man heart. Cambodia is a sad place when it encounters with freedom of expression and freedom of free press. It is very despear for none elit Cambodian. They can never hear the true, but misleaded, corrupted, manipulated and suppressed information. Hun Sen his donkies created the law, but they don't want to follow it. They want us to follow. If there is a law that they must follow, they create another law to over-ride that one so that they can be benifited themselve freely.

I am not paying for CTN station anymore after this month. I have notice that KTV is suck.

Anonymous said...

Only one audience makes CTN changes..CTN is cowardice!

And me too, I stop to pay additional renewal to CTN station...Khmer media is so cowardice...

Former Center for Social Development president Chea Vannath, who discussed corruption on the show on two occasions, said the CTN show was more independent than other programs.

"Television stations don't play their role in informing the public with independent news," she said. "CTN brought about something brand new in informing the public, but it has lost it again."

Anonymous said...

Im very delighted that people and paying attention to what going on back home and taking actions. Let all keep up with the good work. CTN, im also "disappointed"

Anonymous said...

Kith meng is for Kith Meng and Hun Sen only , he is not for Cambodia and its people .He is just as much as a criminal and crooked like Hn Sen.

Anonymous said...

keith meng is another animal just like hun sen. He used to live in the west but not sucessfull business man due to lack of knowledge but in cambodia he is one beacause he is kissing ass hunsen. Well, i watch ctn and tvk and have no desire to watch it anymore. i don't want to watch a program that follows their lying and manupilative story.