By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
30 January 2008
The Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists said Wednesday the national media environment was mostly positive, but it noted 17 separate instances where journalists were threatened in 2007.
Cambodian journalists have faced threats from the Ministry of Information on closures and death threats from anonymous callers, among others, the association said.
“First, 2007 saw some progress on legal aspects, because Hun Sen’s government withdrew defamation from the criminal law,” said Samrith Duong Hak, vice-president of the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists. “Second, we see that there are some shortcomings, which are increasing threats, such as the burning down of a reporter’s house in Pursat province, the throwing of an unexploded grenade into a reporter’s house in Svay Rieng province, and some other forms of threat, in which the perpetrators were not found.”
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Wednesday some of the problems stemmed from Cambodian journalists getting involved in affairs outside journalism, “but using the journalistic name.”
The international monitor Freedom House rated Cambodia “not free” in 2007, citing Prime Minister Hun Sen’s “intensified suppression of all criticism” and a government that “does not fully respect freedom of speech.”
Cambodian journalists have faced threats from the Ministry of Information on closures and death threats from anonymous callers, among others, the association said.
“First, 2007 saw some progress on legal aspects, because Hun Sen’s government withdrew defamation from the criminal law,” said Samrith Duong Hak, vice-president of the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists. “Second, we see that there are some shortcomings, which are increasing threats, such as the burning down of a reporter’s house in Pursat province, the throwing of an unexploded grenade into a reporter’s house in Svay Rieng province, and some other forms of threat, in which the perpetrators were not found.”
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Wednesday some of the problems stemmed from Cambodian journalists getting involved in affairs outside journalism, “but using the journalistic name.”
The international monitor Freedom House rated Cambodia “not free” in 2007, citing Prime Minister Hun Sen’s “intensified suppression of all criticism” and a government that “does not fully respect freedom of speech.”
5 comments:
Leave them alone, without media no one knew what Hun Sen gorvernment is doing and what is country heading upto. And for your figure head, you must think that you are to blame and if threating appears, it is ok, because people who is threathening not kill your famely like you have killed theirs.
Media is an essential recource for the public to have access to the information. It magnifies and illuminates the maters around the world. Corrupt government officials in Cambodia have the tendency to conceal the facts from the media. If the facts leak, being investigated by the investigative reporters, it compels them to issue a dead treat.
Without the media, the public is unknowlegeable of the circumstances.
-- Indigenous Khmer, S.T.
freedom of expression and media is good for a check and balance type of gov't. however, too much of it can be out of control, especially, when people don't know when to stop. sometimes, enough is enough, especially in name-callings and the swear words. it should be constructive.
freedom of expression and media is good for a check and balance type of gov't. however, too much of it can be out of control, especially, when people don't know when to stop. sometimes, enough is enough, especially in name-callings and the swear words. it should be constructive.
3:31 AM
Thank you for saying just that.
Freedom of speech can be double-edged word. Please DO follow your journalistic code to ensure that violations and other mishaps do not occur.
And, importantly, don't meddle with govermental issues and other high-profile persons.
It is very important that you do your job ethically and correctly and professionally.
Stay clear of trouble!
Chao
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