Cambodian Olympians Vow To Do Their Best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsrhbwJZa-c

Foreign broadcasters shut down for Cambodian elections

04 June 2012
By Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator
Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ)

How far has democracy advanced in Cambodia?

Not very far.

Activists from three different political parties died during the 15-day campaign period leading up to the elections, in which the ruling Cambodian People's Party won a large majority of seats, according to a report issued by the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel). The Phnom Penh Post ran articles on "allegations of intimidation, ghost voting, and electoral-roll sabotage" in the election, and the U.S. government-funded Voice of America (VOA) published a story headlined "Observers: Cambodian Vote Improved but Problems Remain."

Comfrel documented the various irregularities in the election--listing at least 100--but the U.S.-owned Radio Free Asia (RFA) and VOA brought to our attention one specific one: the silencing of the transmission of their broadcasts on five local FM stations on Sunday. The one-day ban also seemed to extend to Radio Australia and Radio France Internationale.

The decision to silence the overseas broadcasters was apparently made by the Ministry of Information and came with no advance warning. The government couldn't silence shortwave signals coming into the country, but the shutdown of the FM signals was the most effective in urban areas, where the FM signals are strongest.

In an email message, RFA told us they were taken by surprise by the shutdown and that they had received no complaints from the government in the run-up to the voting. Authorities did not release a statement about the shutdown of the broadcasters.

RFA called it a giant step backward for the country. That seems about right.

Sam Rainsy's interview on VOA-Khmer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhhdP5ph3tQ

Prime Minister Renews Attacks on US Broadcasters

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, and his wife Bun Rany alights from a plane as they arrive at the Ngurah Rai airport in Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday Nov. 16, 2011. Hun Sen is here to attend the 19th ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit. (Photo: AP)

សម្តាចម៏ អញ៖ អញ អញ គឺមានតែ អញ!

Monday, 28 November 2011
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

“The country’s leaders must accept the criticisms.”

In recent month, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has made a number of public speeches against broadcasters VOA Khmer and Radio Free Asia for critical coverage of his government.

“Go ahead, broadcast my speeches,” he said at a ceremony to inaugurate a bridge in Kampot province earlier this month.

He asked the crowd to point out the RFA reporter present. “Go ahead, insult me,” he said. “I won because you insulted me. The more you insult, the more you make a mistake.”

Cambodia’s broadcast media environment is overwhelmingly favorable to Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People’s Party. There are few independent outlets, and media experts say it is difficult to get a license for non-party aligned broadcasters.

KR Hun Xen in an angry fit against VOA and RFA - ខ្មែរក្រហម ហ៊ុនសែន ចេញយក្សដាក់ VOA និង RFA

ហ៊ុនសែន ខឹង ដាច់ក្បាល ដាច់កន្ទុយខ្វៀន

Click on the control below to listen to the VOA audio report:

Click here to download the audio program in MP3

សម្តាចម៏ មាត់ដាច ជេរបញ្ចោរ VOA និង វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី ... បានតែមាត់ តែខ្លាចគេដឹង រឿងខ្លូន

ហ៊ុន ​សែន​ បុរសមាត់ដាច កម្ពុជា

នាយក​រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ហ៊ុន សែន​ព្រលះ​វីអូអេ និង​អាស៊ីសេរី

ថ្ងៃសុក្រ, 25 ខែវិច្ឆិកា 2011
ដោយ គង់ ​សុឋានរិទ្ធ វីអូអេ ខ្មែរ | ភ្នំពេញ

«យើង​បារម្ភ​ថា ​ការ​រិះគន់​ដោយ​ផ្ទាល់​នេះ ​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​មាន​ប៉ះពាល់​ដល់​សុវត្ថិភាព​អ្នក​យក​ព័ត៌មាន​ នៅ​ខាង​វិទ្យុ​ទាំង​ពីរ​ហ្នឹង​ផង! បារម្ភ!”។

នៅ​ចុង​ឆ្នាំ​២០១០ ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ចាប់​ផ្ដើម​បង្ហាញ​សញ្ញា​រឹត​បន្ដឹង​លើ​ប្រព័ន្ធ​អ៊ីន ធឺណែត​ដូច​ជា​ការ​បញ្ជា​ឲ្យ​ក្រុមហ៊ុន​បម្រើ​សេវា​អ៊ីនធឺណែត​ មាន​ទាំង​ក្រុមហ៊ុន​សេវាកម្ម​ទូរសព្ទ័​ផងដែរ​ឲ្យ​បិទ​ខ្ទប់​ គេហទំព័រ​ និន្នាការ ​គណបក្ស​ជំទាស់  KI-Media​ ជា​ដើម។

ក្នុង​រយៈពេល​ប្រមាណ​ជាង​បី​ខែនេះ ​នាយក​រដ្ឋមន្ដ្រី​កម្ពុជា ​លោក ​ហ៊ុន ​សែន​ បាន​ធ្វើ​ការរិះគន់​វាយប្រហារ​ទៅលើ​បណ្ដាញ​ផ្សព្វផ្សាយ​តាម​អាកាស​អាមេរិក​ គឺ​សំឡេង​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក​ និង​វិទ្យុ​អាស៊ីសេរី​ចំនួន​ពីរ​លើក ​ដោយ​ចាត់​ទុក​អង្គភាព​ទាំង​ពីរ​ថា​បាន​ជេរប្រមាថ​រូប​លោក។​ ប៉ុន្ដែ​អ្នក​ជំនាញ​ និង​មន្រ្ដី​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​បាន​ហៅ​ការ​រិះគន់​នោះ​ថា​គឺ​ជា​ការ​ខាតបង់។

កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ទី​១៤​ ខែ​វិច្ឆិកា ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ឱកាស​សម្ពោធ​ផ្លូវ​ជាតិ​លេខ​៣ ​ដែល​លាត​សន្ធឹង​ពី​ទីក្រុង​ភ្នំពេញ​ឆ្ពោះ​ទៅ​កាន់​ខេត្ត​កំពត​ លោក ​ហ៊ុន ​សែន ​បាន​និយាយ​ខ្លាំង​ៗ​ ដោយ​ស្វែង​រក​មុខ​អ្នក​យក​ពត៌មាន​ម្នាក់​របស់​វិទ្យុ​អាស៊ី​សេរី។

«(វា)​នៅ​ខាង​ក្រោយ។ អាហ្នឹង​មិន​ហ៊ាន (ចេញមុខ)​ទេ។ ហ្អែង​យក​សម្ដី​អញ​ទៅ​ចាក់​ (ទៅ)។ ថ្ងៃ​មុន​ប្រពន្ធ​អញ​ថា​យ៉ាង​ម៉េច ​ស្រាប់​តែ​ចាប់​ផ្ដើម​ឡង​មក​វិញ​ថា ​មក​ពី​វិទ្យុ​អាស៊ីសេរី​មិន​បាន​ជួយ​ឃោសនា​ឲ្យ​ប្ដី។ ​មិន​ចាំ​បាច់​លោក​ឯង​ជួយ​ឃោសនា​ទេ។ អញ​ឲ្យ​ហ្អែង​ជេរ​ទៅ។ អញ​ឈ្នះ​ដោយសារ​ឯង​ជេរ​ទេ។ អា​វីអូអេ​នេះ​មួយ។ ​ហើយ​មួយ​ថ្ងៃៗ​ជេរ​គេ ​ជេរ​ឯង។ ​ជាពិសេស​អាស៊ី​សេរី​ហ្នឹង។ ​អញ​អង្វរ​ហ្អែង​ ជួយ​ជេរ​អញ​ថែម​ទៀត​។ ​ហ្អែង​ជេរ​កាន់​តែ​ខ្លាំង​ខុស​កាន់​តែ​ច្រើន»។

US broadcaster stands by its reporting in contempt of court row

Sep 2, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - US broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) on Friday shrugged off a contempt of court citation by judges at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, describing it as 'unwarranted.'

VOA added that it was concerned the citation could have a 'chilling effect' on coverage of the UN-backed court.

Investigating judges at the war crimes court said Wednesday that they had started proceedings against VOA after its Cambodian language service, VOA Khmer, quoted from a confidential court document and showed the document in two broadcasts in August.

The document, which was leaked this year, is the prosecution's file detailing crimes allegedly committed by three suspects in the tribunal's fourth case. The investigating judges are currently examining those allegations.

'The careful use of confidential sources and documents that provide important insight into critical issues is a well-established practice by independent journalists the world over,' VOA argued in a statement.

VOA Concerned about Warning to Journalists in Cambodia

(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington, D.C. — September 1, 2011 — The Voice of America is concerned about a legal warning issued in connection with VOA coverage of the U.N.-backed tribunal in Cambodia that has been investigating atrocities committed by the former Khmer Rouge regime.

On August 31, the Co-Investigating Judges at the U.N.-backed Cambodian tribunal announced they had instituted “contempt of court” proceedings related to the VOA Khmer Service reports. The unsigned statement from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, cited VOA’s use of confidential court documents in a report broadcast on August 10 that identified potential new defendants.

The statement said proceedings had been instituted for “Interference with the Administration of Justice” after VOA “quoted verbatim from a confidential document” and “even showed that document on a video.”

The statement went on to say, “Anyone intending further disclosure of confidential court documents is hereby warned that his case could be transferred to the National Prosecutor pursuant to Rule 35 ( 2 ) ( c ).”

Voice of America is concerned about the potential “chilling effect” this threat by the co-investigating judges could have on coverage of an important international story. Some rights groups have accused judges at the tribunal of failing to fully investigate cases brought by prosecutors.

CCHR calls on ECCC to address underlying causes ofleaking of confidential information

CCHR Media Comment – Phnom Penh, 1 September 2011

CCHR calls on ECCC to address underlying causes ofleaking of confidential information

The Office of the Co-Investigating Judges (the “OCIJ”) at Cambodia's United Nations backed war crimes court – the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (the “ECCC”) – stated in apress release on the 31 August 2011 that it had started contempt of court proceedings against Voice of America (“VOA”) Khmer for revealing confidential information about a case currently under investigation. In a two sentence press release, the OCIJ announced that as VOA on 10 August 2011 quoted verbatim from a confidential ECCC document relating to “Case 004” and showed that document in a video report, the OCIJ had initiated contempt of court proceedings against them.

While it remains unclear what form any proceedings against VOA will take, this marks the first time the OCIJ has followed through on warnings to launch contempt proceedings. In June, the OCIJ warned of contempt of court proceedings after confidential court documents were quoted and even published by media outlets. The Phnom Penh Post reported on 13 May 2011that the OCIJ were considering contempt of court proceedings againstinternational co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley after he issued a statement requestingthat the OCIJ perform a series of additional – and seemingly basic –investigative steps in Case 003.

While contempt of court proceedings are important in ensuring the sanctity of an ongoing investigation – the statement of 31 August comes amid allegations that the OCIJ is bowing to political pressure in relation to the investigation into Cases 003 and 004. Equally, contempt of court proceedings are important as a means of protecting the interests of the individuals under investigation – such as their right to a presumption of innocence – and yet court documents suggest that the OCIJ has, to date, refused to acknowledge any lawyer appointed to represent the interests of the unnamed suspects in Cases 003 and 004.

Commenting on the OCIJ decision to initiate contempt of court proceedings against VOA, Ou Virak, President of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, a non-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia, said:

“The importance of contempt of court proceedings should not be underestimated. In this case however, the evidence suggests that these threats by the OCIJ are less motivated by a desire to ensure the sanctity of their investigations and the rights of the individuals under investigation than they are with a desire to gag the media and others who look at the court with a critical eye. The reality is that observers of the court and the general public are becoming increasingly convinced that the OCIJ is actively seeking to ensure the closure of the court with the end of Case 002. Against this background, it is unsurprising that the media should seek to get hold of and publish information relating to investigations which are widely believed to have stalled for political reasons. If the OCIJ truly wants to prevent information being leaked to the media relating to Cases 003 and 004 it must start by regaining the public’s confidence. This it can only do through full and frank investigations into Cases 003 and 004 and by keeping the public adequately informed in this regard to the extentthat does not undermine the investigations and the rights of those subject to investigation”.

For more information, pleasecontact:

Ou Virak, CCHR President

Telephone: +855 12 40 40 51

Email: ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org

Please find this media comment attached in pdf.

Thank you and kind regards,

CCHR

--

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is a non-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia. For more information, please visit www.cchrcambodia.org.

KRT seeds of contempt

Thursday, 01 September 2011
Mary Kozlovski and Thomas Miller
The Phnom Penh Post

Judges at the Khmer Rouge tribunal have initiated contempt of court proceedings against the United States-funded media outlet Voice of America Khmer for allegedly quoting from confidential court documents in a news report.

Commentators said yesterday the move was an attempt to stifle public discourse on cases 003 and 004, which many believe are set for dismissal amid political pressure.

Co-investigating judges Siegfried Blunk and You Bunleng issued a statement yesterday that Voice of America had “quoted verbatim from a confidential document of the ECCC and even showed that document on a video” during an August 10 report.

“The co-investigating judges have instituted proceedings for interference with the administration of justice (contempt of court),” it added.

Khmer Rouge court takes action against US news service

Thursday, September 1, 2011

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes court said on Wednesday it had started contempt of court proceedings against Voice of America Khmer for revealing confidential information about a new Khmer Rouge case.

The move comes after the US-funded news service posted an article and video on its website describing prosecution allegations of mass killings and other atrocities by three mid-level cadres during the regime's 1975-79 rule.

The service cited a document obtained by a source close to the court.

VOA Khmer 'on 10 August 2011 quoted verbatim from a confidential document... and even showed that document on a video', said the two judges who are still investigating the claims in the court's fourth and final case.

Press Release From The Co-investi​gating Judges [-Don't cry over spilled milk?]

PRESS RELEASE BY THE CO-INVESTIGATING JUDGES

31 August 2011

After Voice of America Khmer on 10 August 2011 quoted verbatim from a confidential document of the ECCC and even showed that document on a video, the Co-Investigating Judges have instituted proceedings for Interference with the Administration of Justice (Contempt of Court) pursuant to ECCC Internal Rule 35. 

Anyone intending further disclosure of confidential court documents is hereby warned that his case could be transferred to the National Prosecutor pursuant to Rule 35 (2) (c).

Media critic: Hun Sen blasts VOA, RFA 'insults'

Monday, 25 July 2011
Uong Ratana
The Phnom Penh Post

Prime Minister Hun Sen lashed out at Voice of America and Radio Free Asia at a press conference on Friday, saying the news programmes were “inferior”, inaccurate and unfair.

In response to a question about allegations that he has interfered in the Khmer Rouge tribunal’s work and halted its third case, the premier said VOA and RFA reporters needed to “insult” the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in order to draw salaries.

“If [VOA and RFA] did not insult the CPP, they wouldn’t have a salary ... If [you have] no salary, come to work for the local radio and I will pay the salary,” Hun Sen said. “You are Khmer, you speak Khmer, you should do something according to Khmer values.”

Hun Sen also said that he would rather see the court fail than its trials cause war.

News Media in the Kingdom of Wonder - Poem in Khmer by Spean Tep

http://www.box.net/shared/jya3os0msbixrm08olf1

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Inferior Radios

Cambodian Prime Minister Criticizes VOA, Radio Free Asia

Photo: AFP, Tang Chhin Sothy

Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Voice of America

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday sharply criticized Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, saying their news reports are “very inferior.” [KI-Media Note: If VOA and RFA reports are "very inferior", why does Hun Xen even worry them?]

He accused the two broadcasters, both funded by the U.S. government under the Broadcasting Board of Governors, of distorting information, or containing “zero” information.

The prime minister made the comments in response to a question by a VOA Khmer Service journalist at a news conference in Cambodia. The question was about the Khmer Rouge tribunal, and Mr. Hun Sen said it was not among the topics to be covered by the news conference, which followed a meeting of his cabinet and was chiefly dominated by questions about Cambodia's border dispute with Thailand.

Mr. Hun Sen praised Radio France International and offered to hire Cambodian staff at VOA and RFA to work at Cambodian news stations. [KI-Media Note: Is that why RFI always broadcast news favorable to Hun Xen's regime?]

VOA responded to the prime minister's comments by saying, “VOA journalists around the world, including those covering developments in Cambodia, adhere to the highest journalistic standards of accuracy and objectivity, standards mandated by U.S. law.”

Cambodian PM denounces US-funded radio as unfair [-VOA and RFA hits Hun Xen where it hursts him the most?]

Friday, July 22, 2011

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's prime minister has denounced two U.S.-funded radio stations for what he described as inaccurate and unfair reports.

Hun Sen said Friday that reports broadcast in the Cambodian language by Voice of America and Radio Free Asia were groundless. The stations carry news and analysis sometimes critical of the government on subjects such as human rights and corruption.

Shortwave radio stations are a major source of unfettered news for people in Asian countries with authoritarian regimes, such as Cambodia and Myanmar. Satellite TV broadcasts are also popular where media is controlled or heavily censored by the government.

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

We would like to thank to your hard works with VOA news and also your Heart for Cambodia & its people.

VOA news is a school where Khmers people learn the knowledge of Democracy everyday.

Enjoy your retirement.

Cheers,
Sacravatoons

Former Broadcaster Describes Decades of VOA Khmer History

Retired VOA Khmer staff Ang Khen, on 'Hello VOA' on Monday. (Photo: by Soeung Sophat)

Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Now that she has retired, she reads books, especially those about women world leaders. She also recently read a biography of former president Jimmy Carter, who, she said, practices democracy even at home: He takes a vote on the family's next holiday.

Ang Khen was one of the first staff members of a refreshed VOA Khmer, when the service opened in 1962 following a hiatus. She was 21 years old, and one of few female broadcasters.

As a guest on “Hello VOA” Monday, the now retired Ang Khen said she had been the only female staff member for the Khmer service, which marked its 55th anniversary on Sunday. But she said she believed in the service's principles of truth, timeliness and objectivity.

Callers flooded the phones on Monday night, as old fans heard Ang Khen again for the first time in years.

“Since I was born, whenever VOA Khmer was on, I heard Ang Khen's voice,” caller Kong Kea of Takeo province said. “VOA is independent and brings the world close to its listeners. Everything broadcast by VOA is true. Listening to VOA is like traveling the world.”

Kong Kea asked how Ang Khen had passed an examination—at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh—to become a broadcaster.

Ang Khen said she had gone to Preah Norodom middle school and an all-girls high school in Phnom Penh. She won a scholarship to study English in the US state of Oregon. When she saw an announcement for the VOA position, she jumped at it, she said. She wasn't sure how she passed the test, but she said she had felt fortunate to have a job at the broadcast agency.

She went on to become a broadcaster through a multitude of world events: from the moon landing, the rise of the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia, through the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the US and the subsequent war on terror.

“I am a witness to changes in world history,” she said.

Now that she has retired, she reads books, especially those about women world leaders. She also recently read a biography of former president Jimmy Carter, who, she said, practices democracy even at home: He takes a vote on the family's next holiday.

VOA Khmer: 55 Years of Timely, Objective News

Retired VOA Khmer staff Meas John and Ang Khen dropped by the service, to celebrate VOA Khmer's 55th anniversary. (Photo: by Im Sothearith)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 17 August 2010

“And we believe in giving quality information and analysis to our listeners so they can be informed and make decisions about their own lives, their own freedoms, their dreams and their goals, based on solid factual reporting.”

The Voice of America's Khmer service has been on the air for 55 years, providing news to Cambodians around the world and maintaining a mission of timely, objective news.

At the same time VOA Khmer is developing its programming to keep up with new technology and expanding from radio into television and the Internet. Coverage of Cambodia itself is also increasing.

“VOA does its best to bring objective, neutral and professional coverage both about issues from Cambodia and all other issues from around the world,” Chris Decherd, VOA Khmer's service chief, said in an interview. “And we believe in giving quality information and analysis to our listeners so they can be informed and make decisions about their own lives, their own freedoms, their dreams and their goals, based on solid factual reporting.”

The service hopes to contribute to public debate, Decherd said, on issues ranging from human rights to democracy, the Khmer Rouge tribunal, the economy and regional and global issues.

VOA Khmer has emphasized different coverage according to the times.

“Our program changed a lot due to the war in Vietnam,” said Ker Yann, VOA Khmer's senior editor, who joined the service in 1970 at a time when the US lent its full support to Phnom Penh. “News on the Vietnam war would be our top stories almost every day, and news on Cambodia came only when there was an incident in the country which related to battles in Cambodia and related to the war.”

At its headquarters in Washington, VOA has a central newsroom responsible for gathering news from around the world. Staff there write and edit reports in English before distributing them to more than 40 language services for translation and broadcast. In the past, VOA Khmer relied much on central news.

“We played merely a translating role,” said Ker Yann. “There were not many reports covered by each service. We translated whatever the central newsroom sent us. Nowadays, we have more freedom. They allow us to do our own original reports from each service.”

Often VOA is perceived as the US government’s mouthpiece, but in principal and practice VOA covers all angles of the news, regardless of political tendencies.

VOA’s charter, signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1976, clearly defines VOA as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news that provides accurate, objective and comprehensive coverage.

The charter requires VOA to represent America, not any single segment of American society, and therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.

The charter requires that VOA present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively and also promote responsible discussions and opinions on these policies.

Even in a time of international conflict where the US is involved, VOA covers the news just as other professional media outlets.

“As a news organization we should not take any side,” said Jing Zhang, acting director for VOA's East Asia and the Pacific division. “We do not defend US policy. We do not side with any government or any organization. Our charge is to report news as it is. For example, we also report many of the debates in the United States about what US policy in Iraq and Afghanistan should be, and those debates include much opposition towards the continued US involvement in Afghanistan. We report where the US government’s stand is on this issue; we also report opposition to US policy on this issue.”

Today VOA is a multimedia broadcasting service. VOA Khmer broadcasts through its medium and shortwave frequencies with two shows a day. Through cooperation with local affiliates in Cambodia, its programs are repeated via the Women Media Center’s at FM 102, Beehive FM 105, and Angkor Ratha FM 95.5 in Siem Reap. Its TV program is shown on state-run TVK and CTN. All programs are kept online at www.voacambodia.com and can be found on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and social network AngkorOne.

VOA Khmer first came on air on August 15, 1955, but the program was put on hiatus after a few months. It returned in 1962. It now works with experienced reporters in Cambodia who give updated reports on news events from the country and a team in Washington that is charged with preparing the daily program and contributing original reports. All VOA Khmer reports must be based on at least two or three sources to ensure they cover all parties involved.

The programs focus on politics, the economy, health, the environment, religion, education, social issues and history.

“That’s part of our mission and mandate from the US Congress, to cover news of the world and news of the US, as well as news about Cambodia,” Decherd said. “That’s part of our fundamental mission. We believe that the world is interconnected and that it's valuable news and information.”

One third of the service's programming focuses on world news, another third on US news, and the rest on Cambodia.

“I give priority to news related to Cambodia, although it may not be on the list for the lineup, because our listeners pay much attention to Cambodian news,” said Chhim Somedh, a veteran newscaster who joined the service in 1986.

VOA also pays attention to quality of its sound in its production.

“Since VOA broadcasts live, in the production of each of our programs, the producer will have to get in close contact with the editor, with broadcasters, and with our correspondents in Cambodia,” said Nuch Sarita, a longtime producer. “We pay close attention to sound quality, so in addition to the ability to report, translate and present news, each staff member needs to have a strong voice.”

VOA Khmer also allows its audience to interact with politicians, government officials, NGO officials, and experts in different fields.