(This articles published on the Cambodia Daily is written by Mr. Choeun Chhean Nariddth, Media Advisor at InterNews)
I’d like to add some concerns about the press freedom in Cambodian to the article “Association Reports Mixed Bag for Press Freedom” (Thursday, page25).
Apart from legal and physical threats against journalists, many other challenges face Cambodian media professionals including the lack of a freedom of information law, self-censorship and the culture of impunity concerning violations against members of the press.
Cambodian journalists work in an environment of high secrecy and a lack of transparency due to an absence of access to information or a freedom of information law.
Reporters thus find it almost impossible to get information or documents related to Cambodia’s oil exploration, land disputes and land swaps between the government and private companies. Often, source refuses to comment or answer phone calls, or important information simply not available.
Meanwhile, many journalists still exercise self-censorship by avoiding stories that can put their lives at risk. Therefore, many important stories are never reported.
Once in a while, journalists or media organizations push the limit on Cambodia’s most sensitive stories, such as illegal logging, high level corruption and other wrong doing. Many journalists have suffered a boomerang effect as a result, including physical attacks and lawsuits. Such attacks and threats are possible because of impunity and the weak judicial system.
If Cambodia is to transform itself into a mature democracy that promotes free press, the government must adopt a freedom of information law and bring the perpetrators of crime against journalists to justice.
Popularity: 2% [?]
February 7th, 2008 at 9:56 am
I think Cambodia law on freedom of expression is still relaxing compare to other countries in South East Asia which cannot be so freely without any filtered [internet/web site].
Believing that Freedom of information law will be there one day, but it is not always applicable for all cases due to the facts involved and who needed it.
In countries where freedom of information in effect, wife and husband cannot obtain any info about her/his pay or bank account without any written consent
February 12th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
As i know the Law on Freedom of information is drafting by NGOs with the government institutions. I used to meet the difficulties to access documents, information from the ministries, even we sent official letter to give permission.
So that, it is seen that Govn’t do not want to disseminate information to public.