Journalist in hiding following verbal attack by prime minister
Journalist flees in fear after being targeted for abuse by Cambodian PM
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has voiced its shock and outrage after Cambodia's prime minister reportedly publicly dismissed a journalist as "insolent" and "rude" for asking questions.
Prime Minister Hun Sen attacked RFA radio reporter Keo Nimol on Thursday, May 17, after Keo questioned the future of the coalition between the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Funcinpec party.
"I am saying this so that all radio and TV stations in Cambodia broadcast that not only RFA as a radio station is insolent, but the reporter who asks question is more insolent," Prime Minister Hun Sen announced to media assembled at the Cambodia National Assembly.
IFJ President Christopher Warren expressed surprise that the prime minister would challenge a journalist so personally and forcefully, simply for asking a straightforward question.
"It is unacceptable that the prime minister has so publicly shown such contempt and disrespect for a journalist and the role of media in a democratic society," Warren said.
"I urge Prime Minister Hun Sen to publicly clarify his comments in a way that will leave no one in any doubt as to the Cambodian government's commitment to the democratic process and the media's role in this - that is, promoting discussion and transparency for open democratic process," he said.
Keo is now in hiding and fears for his personal safety. After he attacked both Keo and RFA as "insolent", Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly asked another journalist about Keo's real name, background and political leanings.
Warren said it appeared Prime Minister Hun Sen was trying to make an example of Keo as the country heads toward an election.
"The prime minister is only undermining the principles of democracy by attempting to discredit and silence those who question the power structures", Warren said.
"In the name of press freedom and journalists' safety in Cambodia, the prime minister must act to end the intimidation, or face the disapproval of the international community," he said.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.
Country/Topic: Cambodia(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 May 2007 IFJ media release:
Date: 22 May 2007
Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Person(s): Keo Nimol
Target(s): journalist(s)
Type(s) of violation(s): harassed
Urgency: Threat
Journalist flees in fear after being targeted for abuse by Cambodian PM
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has voiced its shock and outrage after Cambodia's prime minister reportedly publicly dismissed a journalist as "insolent" and "rude" for asking questions.
Prime Minister Hun Sen attacked RFA radio reporter Keo Nimol on Thursday, May 17, after Keo questioned the future of the coalition between the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Funcinpec party.
"I am saying this so that all radio and TV stations in Cambodia broadcast that not only RFA as a radio station is insolent, but the reporter who asks question is more insolent," Prime Minister Hun Sen announced to media assembled at the Cambodia National Assembly.
IFJ President Christopher Warren expressed surprise that the prime minister would challenge a journalist so personally and forcefully, simply for asking a straightforward question.
"It is unacceptable that the prime minister has so publicly shown such contempt and disrespect for a journalist and the role of media in a democratic society," Warren said.
"I urge Prime Minister Hun Sen to publicly clarify his comments in a way that will leave no one in any doubt as to the Cambodian government's commitment to the democratic process and the media's role in this - that is, promoting discussion and transparency for open democratic process," he said.
Keo is now in hiding and fears for his personal safety. After he attacked both Keo and RFA as "insolent", Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly asked another journalist about Keo's real name, background and political leanings.
Warren said it appeared Prime Minister Hun Sen was trying to make an example of Keo as the country heads toward an election.
"The prime minister is only undermining the principles of democracy by attempting to discredit and silence those who question the power structures", Warren said.
"In the name of press freedom and journalists' safety in Cambodia, the prime minister must act to end the intimidation, or face the disapproval of the international community," he said.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.
This guy Hun Sen is a thief a gangster. How does he know how to civilize besides his barbaric act?
ReplyDeleteHe never respects Khmer people buy
ReplyDeleteonly his Masters in Hanoi.
Get lost, corrupted loud mouth
ReplyDelete(IFJ)!
I suggest that RFA management in the USA should treat Hun Sen comment as very serious to their staff security. Usually, in most western countries, all staffs should be guaranteed from their employers for their health and safety as a package of their employment. I felt sorry for MR Nimol who has faced with a barbaric Prime Minister. His questions was very genuine and very polite. He has done his good job. I pray for his safety. Areak Prey
ReplyDeleteIt shows taht a leader still has a long way to learning about the fake democracy as the SRP always calls it. A leader should have much much more tolersnce than this. how many times has HUn Sen himslef been rude and insolent to the rightful owners of the country, the Khmer people ? 25 hours a day, basically.
ReplyDeleteFYI, 6:28, people need foods, not
ReplyDeletedemocracy. You can't eat it. Do
you know what I mean? We have done
fine without it in the past, and
we will be alright without it now.
8:10 AM. Are you saying Cambodia is a Communist country?
ReplyDeleteSo you say Cambodia should be under the Communist all the way as long as everyone poor person can get a bowl of rice?
Either Cambodia was communist or democratic government, Cambodian government has never fed its own people, but wait for dying first. stupid leaders promise to resign until people die of hungry, good leaders promise to to try to feed people three times of meal per day.
ReplyDeleteWell, right now we will be happy
ReplyDeletewith 2 meals a day plus some snacks
in before bed.
Khmer people not even have 2 meals
ReplyDeletea day.....meanwhile its Leaders,CPP
have many of meals plus Wisky and
Girls around them....
They become the real Pigs of Yuon-Hanoi.
Hello 8:10AM, without democracy all animal breeded will steal their foods, so the problem will be worst. The experience of 1975-1979 have proved that Democracy is necessary to keep foods for the hungry. Without a real democracy system, all leaders will steal all their belonging Chor Harouy. Areak Prey
ReplyDeleteHello 8:10AM, without democracy all animal breeded will steal their foods, so the problem will be worst. The experience of 1975-1979 have proved that Democracy is necessary to keep foods for the hungry. Without a real democracy system, all leaders will steal all their belonging Chor Harouy. Areak Prey
ReplyDeleteWrong, 1954-1970 has proven that
ReplyDeletedemocracy is not necessary, not
to mention Singapore is not
democracy either.
AH HUN SEN is making the fucken threat and he is the one who is responible for the safety of Mr.Keo Nimol! If anything happen to Mr.Keo Nimol,Cambodian people have the right to hold AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave against the wall!!!
ReplyDeleteWrong, Khmer people don't like
ReplyDeletestupid reporters who do not
respected their Premier.
We, Cambodians, are very ashamed to have an uneducated prime minister as ah Hun Sen
ReplyDeleteIf ah Hun Sen told that reporters are insolent, so ah Hun Sen is an ILL-BRED prime minister in Cambodia
ah Hun Sen (Kbal youn Khloun Sat') is the criminal against humanity in Cambodia
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Ah Hun SEn look like a junkies prime minister, uneducated with blind eye, when pupet Ah hun sen gave a speech wiht piece of shit to publice was insolent than gangsters and addict drug users
ReplyDeleteWe don't care about that. We just
ReplyDeletecare about jobs, and so far, he
did great in this area.