Hang Chakra (Photo: Zakariya, RFA)Thursday, 04 June 2009
Written by Sam Rith
The Phnom Penh Post
Accused of defamation in corruption coverage.
THE publisher of a Khmer-language newspaper told a Municipal Court prosecutor Wednesday that he stood by articles detailing high-level corruption allegations, adding that he would not identify his newspaper's sources.
"When the prosecutor asked me to show them more information, I told them that I still stood by the information published in my newspaper and told them that I could not reveal the source of the information," Hang Chakra, publisher of Khmer Machas Srok News, told the Post after the hearing.
Hang Chakra faces criminal and civil complaints in connection with three articles published in April and May that he said uncovered corruption on the part of officials working under Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
He said Wednesday that he was considering filing a complaint against government lawyer Suong Chanthan, who filed the complaints against him.
Suong Chanthan said Wednesday that he planned to use the three articles to demonstrate that Hang Chakra is guilty of defamation and publishing false information.
Under the Press Law, publishing false information is a criminal offense for which the court can impose a fine of between 1 million riels (US$241) and 5 million riels. Defamation is a civil offense, and Suong Chanthan requested compensation totalling 10 million riels in that complaint.
Sam Rithy Doung Hak, deputy director of the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ), said civil and criminal complaints against journalists posed a threat to democracy.
THE publisher of a Khmer-language newspaper told a Municipal Court prosecutor Wednesday that he stood by articles detailing high-level corruption allegations, adding that he would not identify his newspaper's sources.
"When the prosecutor asked me to show them more information, I told them that I still stood by the information published in my newspaper and told them that I could not reveal the source of the information," Hang Chakra, publisher of Khmer Machas Srok News, told the Post after the hearing.
Hang Chakra faces criminal and civil complaints in connection with three articles published in April and May that he said uncovered corruption on the part of officials working under Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
He said Wednesday that he was considering filing a complaint against government lawyer Suong Chanthan, who filed the complaints against him.
Suong Chanthan said Wednesday that he planned to use the three articles to demonstrate that Hang Chakra is guilty of defamation and publishing false information.
Under the Press Law, publishing false information is a criminal offense for which the court can impose a fine of between 1 million riels (US$241) and 5 million riels. Defamation is a civil offense, and Suong Chanthan requested compensation totalling 10 million riels in that complaint.
Sam Rithy Doung Hak, deputy director of the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ), said civil and criminal complaints against journalists posed a threat to democracy.
7 comments:
It is so good to see all these laws work for Cambodia. And it is also an easy way to make money (over $2,000) a case, wow,,, that is great, I will sue anyone who say bad about me, then I can share my profit with my lawyer. Is that a good business???? I like this crazy practice!!
if all those guys who brought a lawsuit against hang chakra for defamation about corruptions , who are they trying to fool ? everyone knows that cambodia is full of corruptions from top to bottom. they should have been ashamed of themselves . this lawsuit is nothing but intimidating .
10:47PM don't every where like that your lawyer share at lease 30%!
And why people can go around say bad oe evil about others, that's wrong?
What we should have are educated honest independent judges from any power or institution to serve people! Know what right and what's wrong!
Please UN help us reforme the police, army, and justice in Cambodia!!!!!!!
1:56 AM,,,,, 30% share profit is still good (for my lawyer), if we compare with our people, over 30% earn less than $400 annually,,,, hahaahahaaha
hey, would you like to be my lawyer? we can share naa,,,,, and I will also introduce you to my friends who might be your prosperous clients in the future,,,,,hahahahaa
Speaking of corruption, the US government should probe the Cambodian-American't's welfare and social security (SSI)collectors. These people are frauders and state cheaters.
Pi Anh: PPU
Anonymous said...
So everyone don't think only Cambodian people don't have a job to do lots of people around the world don't have job to do.
I quest American control all economics in the world and all of them Republican party and they lost the voted with democratic so all of the businesses man they don't want open their businesses and they want to fight with bankruptcy everywhere everyplace so all the poor people don't have a job to do.All democratic in USA they are racing,jealous for each other.So what the poor country want to do?
7:44 PM.So all democratic in Cambodia want to be like USA?
That why right now all democratic in Cambodia try to do anything wrong way from the government idea every time. So please don't follow foreign country and destroy the own country.
Another oldfart face look like Khmauch chaov Dracula!!
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