13 December 2007
By Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
On Wednesday, the NRP expressed its displeasure to the warning issued by Beehive radio station stating that it will no longer allow political parties to broadcast their programs on this station if they do not stop squabbling over the airwaves of the station.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, called this warning a pressure exerted to prevent freedom of expression, and it also restricts the rights of the people to receive information.
Muth Chantha said: “Mr. Mam Sonando should not be concerned about lawsuits, his action affects the rights to broadcast information and the rights to receive information, and it is also contrary to the information law, should Beehive radio station forced us to show our source in advance, or to show proofs in advance, (then) it is contrary to the democratic process.”
On Tuesday, Mam Sonando, director of Beehive radio station, set conditions by asking the three political parties (SRP, HRP and NRP) which bought airtime on his radio station to stop attacking each other, saying that these attacks were baseless and they could affect the social atmosphere also.
Eng Chhay Eang, SRP secretary-general, also said that this warning is not proper, however, he said that his party can still abide by the Beehive rule.
Eng Chhay Eang said: “This can be construed as a threat to the freedom of information. The (SRP) Candlelight program that we broadcast, we respect the moral code of conduct … that is we talk about our party work activities to let people know.”
Keo Remy, HRP vice-president, said that he supports the Beehive imposed rule because there is no reason for these politicians to attack one another for personal gain.
Keo Remy said: “The HRP goal is that we want to show what we have done to the people, right now when we do not hold power yet, and when we win the election, (it shows) what we have done, what the possibilities are that we should use immediately when we win the election, when we become the prime minister, therefore (the issue raised by) Mr. Mam Sonando is not a problem.”
The three political parties have broadcasted about their political programs and their party activities on the Beehive airwave one hour each, every day, at noon.
The NRP broadcasts about democracy, the people’s rights, and criticisms on the HRP leaders for example. The SRP broadcasts about the activities undertaken by the party officials. The HRP is mainly concentration on broadcasting the party politics.
The broadcasting effort undertaken by each political on the Beehive airwave was done at a time when Cambodia is heading toward a general election next year.
It should be noted also that among all political parties in Cambodia, only the CPP has the several various means to broadcast itself (through their own stations, stations owned by CPP cronies, or government owned stations). For other political parties, the only way they can broadcast their programs is through renting private stations like the Beehive radio station.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, called this warning a pressure exerted to prevent freedom of expression, and it also restricts the rights of the people to receive information.
Muth Chantha said: “Mr. Mam Sonando should not be concerned about lawsuits, his action affects the rights to broadcast information and the rights to receive information, and it is also contrary to the information law, should Beehive radio station forced us to show our source in advance, or to show proofs in advance, (then) it is contrary to the democratic process.”
On Tuesday, Mam Sonando, director of Beehive radio station, set conditions by asking the three political parties (SRP, HRP and NRP) which bought airtime on his radio station to stop attacking each other, saying that these attacks were baseless and they could affect the social atmosphere also.
Eng Chhay Eang, SRP secretary-general, also said that this warning is not proper, however, he said that his party can still abide by the Beehive rule.
Eng Chhay Eang said: “This can be construed as a threat to the freedom of information. The (SRP) Candlelight program that we broadcast, we respect the moral code of conduct … that is we talk about our party work activities to let people know.”
Keo Remy, HRP vice-president, said that he supports the Beehive imposed rule because there is no reason for these politicians to attack one another for personal gain.
Keo Remy said: “The HRP goal is that we want to show what we have done to the people, right now when we do not hold power yet, and when we win the election, (it shows) what we have done, what the possibilities are that we should use immediately when we win the election, when we become the prime minister, therefore (the issue raised by) Mr. Mam Sonando is not a problem.”
The three political parties have broadcasted about their political programs and their party activities on the Beehive airwave one hour each, every day, at noon.
The NRP broadcasts about democracy, the people’s rights, and criticisms on the HRP leaders for example. The SRP broadcasts about the activities undertaken by the party officials. The HRP is mainly concentration on broadcasting the party politics.
The broadcasting effort undertaken by each political on the Beehive airwave was done at a time when Cambodia is heading toward a general election next year.
It should be noted also that among all political parties in Cambodia, only the CPP has the several various means to broadcast itself (through their own stations, stations owned by CPP cronies, or government owned stations). For other political parties, the only way they can broadcast their programs is through renting private stations like the Beehive radio station.
