By Phan Sophat
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
The Ministry of Information (MoInf) issued an order on Monday to suspend the publication of Khmer Amatak (Eternal Khmer), a local newspaper supporting Prince Norodom Ranariddh, based on a complaint from Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec party secretary-general.
In a declaration issued by Khieu Kanharith, the minister of information, the MoInf had decided to suspend the publication of Khmer Amatak for 30-day, but he did not provide any clear reason on this suspension.
Today, Khieu Kanharith could not be contacted to confirm about this issue.
Bun Tha, the editor of Khmer Amatak newspaper, told RFA that he already received the declaration letter from the MoInf. He said that the accusation leveled against his newspaper was political.
Bun Tha said: “The court did not even summon me yet, and the MoInf already suspended me. I must be judged first, if I lose it’s a personal problem, I could pay damage compensation, but the suspension is a violation of the freedom right, just like in Burma. I praise Burma, they allow their people to have their opinion, to have the right to demonstrate. [In Cambodia], because I speak up, they shut me down, they don’t allow me to speak up, this is a serious right violation in Cambodia, currently. Democracy is only on the tongue, but when it comes to application of the law, the law is not being used.”
Khmer Amatak is a pro-Ranariddh newspaper, and it recently published a number of articles criticizing the Funcinpec party in which Nhiek Bun Chhay is its secretary-general.
In a letter sent by Nhiek Bun Chhay to Khieu Kanharith requesting the suspension of Khmer Amatak, he accused the newspaper of publishing articles affecting his honor, and that of Funcinpec, by publishing that he (Nhiek Bun Chhay) is suspected on involvement in drug trafficking following the seizure by the authority of several tons of raw material for producing drugs in Kampong Speu, and the newspaper also criticized Nhiek Bun Chhay of stealing the achievements of Prince Ranariddh, etc…
Thun Saray, Director of the Adhoc human rights organization, said that the decision issued by the MoInf shows a bad sign: “This is a worrying case when a government leader can order the suspension of a newspaper like this. In the future, this could serve as a precedent for a bad habit, and it could affect the press freedom right of reporters in general. This does not affect just newspapers, it could affect radio stations also. Therefore, it could affect the freedom of expression of the public in general.”
The suspension order of Khmer Amatak newspaper comes at a time when political and legal pressures are being applied on Prince Ranariddh who is currently living abroad, with the aim of forcing him to return back home to participate in next year’s general election.
In a declaration issued by Khieu Kanharith, the minister of information, the MoInf had decided to suspend the publication of Khmer Amatak for 30-day, but he did not provide any clear reason on this suspension.
Today, Khieu Kanharith could not be contacted to confirm about this issue.
Bun Tha, the editor of Khmer Amatak newspaper, told RFA that he already received the declaration letter from the MoInf. He said that the accusation leveled against his newspaper was political.
Bun Tha said: “The court did not even summon me yet, and the MoInf already suspended me. I must be judged first, if I lose it’s a personal problem, I could pay damage compensation, but the suspension is a violation of the freedom right, just like in Burma. I praise Burma, they allow their people to have their opinion, to have the right to demonstrate. [In Cambodia], because I speak up, they shut me down, they don’t allow me to speak up, this is a serious right violation in Cambodia, currently. Democracy is only on the tongue, but when it comes to application of the law, the law is not being used.”
Khmer Amatak is a pro-Ranariddh newspaper, and it recently published a number of articles criticizing the Funcinpec party in which Nhiek Bun Chhay is its secretary-general.
In a letter sent by Nhiek Bun Chhay to Khieu Kanharith requesting the suspension of Khmer Amatak, he accused the newspaper of publishing articles affecting his honor, and that of Funcinpec, by publishing that he (Nhiek Bun Chhay) is suspected on involvement in drug trafficking following the seizure by the authority of several tons of raw material for producing drugs in Kampong Speu, and the newspaper also criticized Nhiek Bun Chhay of stealing the achievements of Prince Ranariddh, etc…
Thun Saray, Director of the Adhoc human rights organization, said that the decision issued by the MoInf shows a bad sign: “This is a worrying case when a government leader can order the suspension of a newspaper like this. In the future, this could serve as a precedent for a bad habit, and it could affect the press freedom right of reporters in general. This does not affect just newspapers, it could affect radio stations also. Therefore, it could affect the freedom of expression of the public in general.”
The suspension order of Khmer Amatak newspaper comes at a time when political and legal pressures are being applied on Prince Ranariddh who is currently living abroad, with the aim of forcing him to return back home to participate in next year’s general election.
5 comments:
OK Khmer living in Srok Khmer, I would like to further hear your opinions regarding this issue. Please keep in mind, Khmer constitution and Democracy in mind when you voices your opinions.
Khmer living Abroad.
There goes again Ong uong XO and ain banh xeo Canh Gia Rach (aka Kanharith)freedom of expression and press a la commie mode.
Khmer Constipation law stipulates press rights as such is up to Ong XO level of sobriety.
30 days suspension is not a life and dead situation here.
In a civilised society, the State cannot close a News paper at all. THat is a freedom of speeches and freedom of expression. If the media has made a misleading to any party, that party can discuss with media for re-write the story and amde an open apology. If the media refuse to re-write foe their mistake, a party involve can take that News paper to court procceeding. If a story which one party want to stop a media from publish and cannot stop by verbal negociation, only a court injunction can stop that media from publishing. THe ministry of information has no power at all to close down or to suspend a media company from publishing their news paper. Off course they can check any misleading to consummers for their advertissements to protect consumers right. For this misleading the authority can find them for misleading the public ( only advertissements). Areak Prey
Not really, it is up to what your definition of civilized society is. If the people in the civilization is offended with pornography, then the state has the duty to ban pornography. The state work for the people, remember? Also what complex the matter is who know what people really want since no one has answer for all cases. Well, if the state is not acting properly, they will hear it from the people.
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