LICADHO
Cambodia's media is often described as one of the freest in the region, but in reality journalists describe an environment in which the pursuit of truth is undermined by political bias, fear and corruption.
Most of Cambodia's media outlets are aligned to a political party and most favor the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Bribes are so commonplace they are not even considered corruption. Formal censorship exists and self-censorship is widespread through Cambodia's media.
A new survey shows that many Cambodian journalists have been attacked – physically or legally – and most feel vulnerable. Threats and fear have a direct influence on their work, and their reporting has a direct influence on the public's perception of their country, especially around election periods.
“Remaining criminal sanctions need to be eliminated including disinformation and misinformation to ensure an environment free of political pressures for media to cover sensitive and important issues affecting Cambodians” says Naly Pilorge, Director of LICADHO.
While some journalists are victims to this system and some are part of the problem, a significant number of Cambodian journalists wish the situation was different. They complain of low pay and pressure to conform to ingrained political biases. A surprising 85 percent of Cambodian journalists consider themselves to be "human rights defenders".
These are some of the findings of a new report from LICADHO, titled Reading Between the Lines: How Politics, Money and Fear Control Cambodia's Media published in celebration of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2008.
“There is still hope as most journalists have expressed the desire to be able to perform their work in an ethical, impartial and professional manner”, says LICADHO’s President Kek Galabru.
This 72-page baseline report looks at Cambodia's media from a human rights perspective. The report gives an overview of the media environment, as well as covering issues such as media ownership, political bias, access to information, censorship, attacks and threats to media.
The report includes the results of a survey of 141 Cambodian journalists across the country – one of the most comprehensive media survey ever undertaken - as well as insights from key media stakeholders.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO at 012 940 645
Most of Cambodia's media outlets are aligned to a political party and most favor the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Bribes are so commonplace they are not even considered corruption. Formal censorship exists and self-censorship is widespread through Cambodia's media.
A new survey shows that many Cambodian journalists have been attacked – physically or legally – and most feel vulnerable. Threats and fear have a direct influence on their work, and their reporting has a direct influence on the public's perception of their country, especially around election periods.
“Remaining criminal sanctions need to be eliminated including disinformation and misinformation to ensure an environment free of political pressures for media to cover sensitive and important issues affecting Cambodians” says Naly Pilorge, Director of LICADHO.
While some journalists are victims to this system and some are part of the problem, a significant number of Cambodian journalists wish the situation was different. They complain of low pay and pressure to conform to ingrained political biases. A surprising 85 percent of Cambodian journalists consider themselves to be "human rights defenders".
These are some of the findings of a new report from LICADHO, titled Reading Between the Lines: How Politics, Money and Fear Control Cambodia's Media published in celebration of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2008.
“There is still hope as most journalists have expressed the desire to be able to perform their work in an ethical, impartial and professional manner”, says LICADHO’s President Kek Galabru.
This 72-page baseline report looks at Cambodia's media from a human rights perspective. The report gives an overview of the media environment, as well as covering issues such as media ownership, political bias, access to information, censorship, attacks and threats to media.
The report includes the results of a survey of 141 Cambodian journalists across the country – one of the most comprehensive media survey ever undertaken - as well as insights from key media stakeholders.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO at 012 940 645
9 comments:
cambodia should work hard to rid itself of the fear culture started in the KR era.
Poor Power...
This is where it should begin.
Now They have the power to decide Hun Sen or else.
Still the else is not trustable.
Too much parties.
Why don't They do the coalition?
Ask Mam Sonando do the secretary general and Ok Socheat as advisor.
Maybe the parties that pretend to be democratic are too selfish.
CPP people threat everyone that they believe their obstacles.
.....Bribes are so commonplace they are not even considered corruption....
For example at the Cheung Prey district (Kampong Cham), everybody knows that Maa Chhoeun transport illegal logs and timbers, but nobody dare to call RFA or VOA. If Maa Chhoeun and his cronies know, They are dead.
That's the way CPP Rule.
Is it the beginning of the NEW YEAR ZERO?
Khmer Canadian
There is no need to fear if you are not planning to scam people, accusing people, raping people, murdering people...
How about denouncing?
Is it scamming too?
Hun Sen saided there's no illegal logging? Did you listen to the radio lastly?
RFA there is. Dy Chouch admit (05/05/2008) that's an illegal logging from his ex-wife. Well it's just one of the case. Another case I knew personally, it's Maa Chhoeun. Village's people are so scared of his threat if He knew some of them denounce. It's happen near Skun, Kampong Cham.
How about Hun Sen himself? He have saided that casinos are not good for society. Especially for cambodians. And He encourages it... For example, his daughter rent a lots of building to businessmen to open a private casinos... Is that ironic from Hun Sen?
Khmer Canadian
Yes, denouncing good thing is scamming, and Hun Sen doesn't lied, and Casino is good for tourists.
Any other question?
5:42am.it is good for the casino owners and good for the begging moneys from them to cheat the poor to vote for the cpp.
First Casino is only good for the owners.
Secondly, does anyone has proof that most people that go to casinos are tourists?
Well I don't think so. One of my newphew work in the casino. He saided that mostly They are cambodians.
Well recently Nal (Hun Sen) has said that He will stop exporting rice for 3 months. How long it last right now? Does anyone remember, how long does it last the forbid rice exportation??
CPP mind still always liar.
Khmer Canadian
btw, full report can be found at here: http://www.licadho.org/reports.php?perm=119
Those things may all be true but the fact remains that Cambodia's press is still the freest in the region.
Rome wasn't build in one day either.
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