In a 6 April 2000 letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen, CPJ stated that it is deeply disturbed by the Information Ministry’s decision to suspend the publication of the “Cambodia News Bulletin” (“Pritbat Pordamean Kampuchea”), a bilingual weekly newspaper published in English and Khmer from the capital city, Phnom Penh. On 4 April 2000, the […]
In a 6 April 2000 letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen, CPJ stated that it is deeply disturbed by the Information Ministry’s decision to suspend the publication of the “Cambodia
News Bulletin” (“Pritbat Pordamean Kampuchea”), a bilingual weekly newspaper published in English and Khmer from the capital city, Phnom Penh.
On 4 April 2000, the Ministry of Information ordered the weekly to suspend publication for thirty days, for publishing news articles that allegedly defamed “members of the Royal Government”, according to a statement released by the paper’s editorial board. The statement adds that the ministry’s notice did not cite any specific issues or articles in support of its allegations.
That same day, the ministry also notified local printing presses that they are not allowed to print copies of the “Cambodia News Bulletin” while the suspension is in effect.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– expressing your dismay over his government’s censorship of the Bulletin
– noting that while the paper is known for its controversial stories exposing government corruption and mismanagement, that in no way justifies suppressing its publication
– suggesting that if any individual finds a particular article defamatory, then recourse should be sought through Cambodia’s judicial system
– urging His Excellency to ensure that the suspension order is lifted immediately
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen
Prime Minister, Kingdom of Cambodia
Office of the Prime Minister
Khemarin Palace
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Fax: +855 23 725 432
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
