Cambodian freedom of press “partly free”

Although, National Assembly passed an amendment to the Untac penal code abolishing prison sentence for the crime of defamation in May 2006, other laws will be also used to imprison journalist. By the way, journalists will be able to be charged with many other crimes such as disinformation, and defamation.

Recently, Freedom House’s report, US-based organization, raised freedom of press in Cambodia from “not free” to “partly free” because of the change to the defamation law and a reduction in harassment of journalists.

There are two different points of view from publishers and civil society, one supported this report but other does not because it is like the case of publisher of pro-SRP newspaper Sralanh Khmer who was charged with disinformation for allegedly insulting Phnom Penh Municipal court director.

Keo Thea, publisher of Voice of Khmer Youth, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that “he agreed with Freedom House’s assessment.” He added that “it is freer for some newspaper groups, but stricter for the news groups that are opposed to the government.”

CCP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said that Cambodia’s journalists have more freedom than any other country in Southeast Asia. He added that “Journalists have the rights to criticize from the top level to the bottom.” “All newspapers have the right to talk equally, regardless if they are the opposition newspapers or not.” The newspaper reported.

Even though, Cambodian media environment improved in 2006 as a result of changes to the defamation law and a continued declined in harassment and attacks on the press. But Journalists can be charged with other crimes such as incitement to commit crime and incitement to disinformation. Meanwhile, the law still fines journalist between $242 and $2,428 for defamation, which remains in the criminal code.