(SEAPA/IFEX) – A national journalist organisation and newspaper stall owners are protesting the Phnom Penh municipality’s plan to remove dozens of newsstands from the streets in the capital to make way for its new development plan. The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) was quoted by the “Phnom Penh Post”, in its latest issue, as saying […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A national journalist organisation and newspaper stall owners are protesting the Phnom Penh municipality’s plan to remove dozens of newsstands from the streets in the capital to make way for its new development plan.
The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) was quoted by the “Phnom Penh Post”, in its latest issue, as saying that any attempt to prohibit or curtail the distribution of news and information was a violation of Cambodia’s press law and the people’s basic freedom under a democracy. CCJ urged the Phnom Penh municipality to shelve its plan to evict the newsstands.
Another English-language daily, “Cambodia Daily”, in its 17 June 2005 edition, quoted Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun as saying the removal of newsstands was necessary to beautify the city and make it a “tourist city.” Their presence on the roadsides, he said, is “against the principle of development.”
The “Koh Santepheap” (“Island of Peace”) reported in its 20 June issue that newspaper vendors were dismayed by the authorities’ allegation that their newsstands affected “the public order” and argued that it is incorrect for the government to force them off the streets since they pay taxes and other fees.
According to the Khmer-language daily, the treatment was discriminatory against newspaper sellers, since other traders such as those who sell gasoline, furniture and fruits have not been notified to move their businesses from the roadsides.
The municipality said it would build “Khmer-style” newsstands in another area around Phnom Penh, but one newspaper seller said the government must have other motives. “The intention of the municipality is to prevent people from debating on [issues critical of the government] through newspapers,” said the seller. “What is the use of having newspapers without the sellers?” she asked.
