(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly alarmed at the Cambodian government’s recent threats to close two newspapers and expel foreign journalists. The 4 October 1998 edition of the pro-government, Khmer-language daily “Rasmei Kampuchea” (Light of Cambodia), quoted government spokesperson and Secretary of State for Information Khieu Khanarith saying that the government of Cambodia plans to shut […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly alarmed at the Cambodian government’s recent
threats to close two newspapers and expel foreign journalists.
The 4 October 1998 edition of the pro-government, Khmer-language daily
“Rasmei Kampuchea” (Light of Cambodia), quoted government spokesperson and
Secretary of State for Information Khieu Khanarith saying that the
government of Cambodia plans to shut down two independent English-language
newspapers in Phnom Penh, “The Cambodia Daily” and the bi-weekly “Phnom Penh
Post”. The story also said that British and American journalists would be
temporarily expelled from the country.
The front-page article in “Rasmei Kampuchea” directly criticised the
correspondent for the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur for being
anti-government and accused “The Cambodia Daily” of biased coverage of an
alleged assassination attempt against Cambodian leader Hun Sen. It also said
that the “Phnom Penh Post” is “a publication that has always been against
the Royal Government.”
In the article, Khanarith was quoted as saying, “The masses are angry at
British and American journalists and they will have to leave the country
because we cannot protect them.” The information ministry has confirmed that
Khanarith made the statements contained in the article.
Journalists in Phnom Penh are taking the threats seriously. They say that
Khanarith’s statements reflect growing tension between the press and the
government in the aftermath of national elections in July, which press
accounts reported to have been flawed.
CPJ views these statements, coming from a high-ranking government official,
as a serious threat to press freedom in Cambodia. The two threatened
newspapers have long been recognised as virtually the only local sources of
independent coverage of Cambodian affairs; silencing them would have dire
ramifications for all journalists in Cambodia.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Prime Minister:
and
to guarantee that all journalists will be free to practice their profession
in Cambodia free from harassment and intimidation
Appeals To
His Excellency Hun Sen
Second Prime Minister
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Fax: +855 23 26144
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
