Thursday, February 17, 2011

Ugly face of CENSORSHIP in Cambodia has a name: SIENG SITHY and SO KHUN

Sieng Sithy's drunk photo shown on Flickr
Sieng Sithy's (center) goofy photo shown on Flickr
CPP So Khun

KI-Media ban confusion

Thursday, 17 February 2011
Thomas Miller
The Phnom Penh Post

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications should clarify its request that 10 internet service providers block access to several anti-government websites, because the government has no such policy, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said today.

Khieu Kanharith said he had not been aware of the request – an email sent to 10 ISPs from an official at MPTC, obtained by The Post – but that it did not represent government policy.

“An email is not an official letter,” he said, adding that he could still access KI-Media, which he views “every two or three hours”.

It surprised me that some ISP organisers accepted the email as an official letter,” Khieu Kanharith said.

Sieng Sithy, deputy director of the Directorate of Telecommunications Policy Regulation at the MPTC, wrote an email to Ezecom, Metfone, Citylink, Digi, AngkorNet, WiCam, TC, Camnet, Online and Camintel thanking them for “cooperation” in blocking access to several websites, including KI-Media, Khmerization and a site featuring the art of political cartoonist Sacrava.


Sieng Sithy referenced a meeting on February 10 with Minister of Posts and Telecommunications So Khun, during which So Khun asked for “cooperation” in curbing access to several unnamed sites that affect “Khmer morality and tradition and the government”, according to official minutes obtained by The Post.

Khieu Kanharith said MPTC should clarify the issue.

If So Khun signed, then it is the position of the Ministry of Posts, but not the government, because the Ministry of Information … we have not asked any ISPs to block any website,” he said.

Khieu Kanharith said MPTC should “at least give the reason why they asked or ordered the ISPs to block [the sites]”.

So Khun stated on Wednesday that MPTC had no policy of blocking access to the websites, but could not be reached for comment today.

Internet users have reported in the past several days that they could not access KI-Media through ISPs Ezecom, Metfone, Online and WiCam.

On Monday, WiCam users attempting to access KI-Media said they saw an error message, signed by “WiCam Tech Support”, saying the site had been “blocked as ordered” by MPTC.

Kim Saroeun, operations manager for Online, said today his company was not blocking the sites in question.

“There is no order from my top management to block access to any websites you mentioned below. [W]e will continue to investigate and if there is anything [that] come[s] up [I] will gladly let you know,” he said by email.

Ezecom CEO Paul Blanche-Horgan has said he has received “no directive from the government to do anything” and that it was merely a “technical problem”.

Sok Channda, CEO of Cambodia Data Communications, which operates MekongNet and AngkorNet, said on Wednesday she had received the email but did not block any sites because it was not an official letter.

Users of MekongNet have confirmed they could access the sites in question.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cambodian patriots are going to shoot them in the head soon. People live around them beware of bomb! Hand grenat only cost $5 at Cambodia.

Anonymous said...

Just remember their name and faces
and where they live. When time is up we khmer chop them to 180 pcs.

Anonymous said...

If this is the case, then whoever wrote and sent out the email in question must be apprehended by the government and disciplined appropriately for he/she has in effect sabotaged the policy and stance of the Cambodian government on press freedom.

This is clearly an act of treachery and treason that serves no one, except Cambodia's enemies, in particular, in time of conflict with Thailand when Khmer people around the world are rallying to the national cause through ideas and discussion.


Ko-Prey

Anonymous said...

If $5.00 worth staying in Prey Sar jail if caught?

Anonymous said...

how about $10,000...and a bail out of jail thru bribes! anyone....please let Sieng Sithy know he is in danger!

Anonymous said...

Also please let Suck Khun know his is in danger!

Anonymous said...

i think some people over reacting about the freedom of speech censorship here, etc... i think they just wan to make sure bad people don't abuse the system by defaming, painting bad picture of cambodia, ranting slandering and libeling at other without regard to the code of ethical conducts, etc, that's all! cambodia is way better than say vietnam, etc in terms of freedom of expression or freedom of speech, etc... how come we don't hear international people complain about vietnam's record of human rights violation, etc, etc... why only seem to pick on my country cambodia? why? for what purpose, etc? why don't they talk to the authority about it to learn more about why they are doing what they are doing, instead of over reacting like this, you know! they have something personal ie personal problem or issue with the khmer authority or something? then, perhaps, it's another story altogether, if that's the case. law is law, who gives a rat's ass about a personal issue here!

Anonymous said...

when i hear only from one side, it is questionable on the truth!

Anonymous said...

3:36! go find another side, Jug!

Anonymous said...

Just in case anyone needs Sithy Sieng's email:(sithysieng@yahoo.com).

Knowledge is nothing without proper execution!!!

KI Media and Khmer IT Team, it's time to get rid of the oppressors.

Best of Luck and long life for all true Khmers!

Anonymous said...

Like they're scared all of you who threaten them.

wattanak said...

Bravo, Sok Channda! This is a woman who shows courage and critical thinking while her male counterparts- Khmer and foreign alike- acted like sheep. Perhaps users of other ISPs should change over to Cambodia Data Communications, where they are assured to get someone with a spine looking after their informational interests.

Anonymous said...

Sieng Sithy will get
killed in the Bar Club and So Khun will
be dead,when Khmer
protesters break out.
Go to hell both of you.
Even though these two
men to block any medias,Khmer victims
still find ways to
protest against
dictator in Cambodia
.

Anonymous said...

This guy Sithy seem to be a nice person from the outside. But what is going on with his inside? Does it smell? Does it rotten? Being the director of telecommunication he must know that he can not block information reaching the people inside Cambodia. This Sithy guy must understand the situation globally that once the people cannot stand it anymore, he will be the first one to go along with Hun Xen.

Anonymous said...

*He is a small Dog.His Boss order him to do it.His no way to go.if you, you will do like him too.
*Cambodia country still use Communist system to control KHMER People,so what his need to do?.
*All guys in CPP 95% are liar since year 1979....until now.
PHLAI LVEAR