The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 539
Note:
According to our working principle to “mirror” sectors of the Khmer press which contribute to shaping public opinion, we “mirror” also the following article, though we were not able to verify or clarify statements attributed to Reporters without Borders, who have published, as every year, a Worldwide Press Freedom Index also for 2007, where they list Cambodia at position 85 for 2007, up from 108 in 2006, among 168 countries. As indicated below, the position of the US media has dropped, from position 56 in 2006 to position 119 in the 2007 report.
“Phnom Penh: Ms. Joyce Barret, a teacher of journalism and a US professional journalist, said on 21 December that according to a report of Reporters without Borders published on their homepage about a survey on 128 countries in the world, Cambodia is classified fourth of confidence in media, with 74% saying media are reliable, 14% unreliable, and the rest has no fixed opinion.
“Cambodia is known as a country on the better side, when it comes to press freedom among the ten ASEAN countries. Cambodia has print media, radio, television, and Internet, operated both by the sate and by private companies.
“Ms. Joyce Barret continued that Reporters Without Borders conducted a survey and found that in Cambodia people have even more confidence in journalism than in the US at present. She continued, ‘Some US journalists destroyed their reputation and therefore people lost confidence in them.’
“Mr. Joseph Mussomeli, the US Ambassador to Cambodia, stated that journalists have an important role for Cambodia as well as for the US. He continued, ‘Especially, the role of newspapers is important for elections; US newspapers make pages available for election related publications.’
“By now, the US Embassy in Cambodia has trained 27 Cambodian journalists to participate in reporting during the coming elections. The US ambassador stated, ‘Journalists and the media have an important role in democratic regimes.’
“Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the Minister of Information, could not be reached for comment on 21 December 2007, because his phone was not available. However, Mr. Thieng Vandarong, Undersecretary of State of Information, stated that Cambodia has about 400 print media in Khmer and in foreign languages – newspapers, magazines, and news bulletins – as well as radio and television stations.
“He continued, ‘Our journalists are now better educated, and the Ministry of Information has given licenses for the publication of daily and weekly newspapers, and all newspaper published must report correctly.’ He added that there are, however, still some journalists who have not familiarized themselves as professionals, and they try to misuse their possibilities, which may impact journalism to the extent that some journalist had even been detained. He continued, ‘We hope that our journalists will professionally know more in the very near future.’” Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6225, 22-23.12.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Saturday, 22 December 2007
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1522, 22.12.2007
- 15 Days Given for Ieng Sary and His Wife to Write Their Position against their Detention Warrants
- Singer Pech Chan Morakot Sued [by a woman] on Accusation of Severe Acid Attack [Phnom Penh]
- Woman Beats Her Husband to Death – Then Escapes, Leaving Two Children in Ponhea Kraek District [Kompong Cham]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6225, 22-23.12.2007
- Khmer Press Freedom: Reporters Without Borders Ranks Cambodia Fourth among 128 Countries
- On 24 December, Court Will Hold Hearing of Heng Pov [former Phnom Penh Municipal Police Commissioner, now in jail] for Kidnapping a Man for $300,000 Ransom
- Cambodia Was Classified According to Number of Smokers in the Region; 1 of 10 Adults Dies from Smoking [according to Adventist Development and Relief Agency’s studies in Cambodia]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3344, 22-23.12.2007
- Kampuchea Krom Khmer Monks Plan Petition to Yuon [Vietnamese] Embassy Again [demanding release of Tim Sakhan [who has been defrocked on accusation of having perpetrated an offense against the Buddhist law, because he is accused to have destroyed the harmony between Vietnam and Cambodia, now jailed in Vietnam]
- Municipal Court Will Try the Accused Chea Chung [accused of drug trafficking] on 27 December; Many Circles Wait to Observe It Carefully
- No UN Envoy Has Been Welcome by Strongman Hun Sen
- Victims of Land Grabbing in Krakor Plan to Demonstrate on 24 December against Ratanak Visal Company [Pursat]
- Implementation of Human Rights in Cambodia Is Really Smooth when Police Beat and Kick Monks Like Animals [ironic]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4469, 22.12.2007
- [Prince] Thomico Affirms New Strategy for Samdech Krom Preah [through conference of monarchists]
- Newspaper Sellers at Borei Keyla Disappointed about Expulsion without Compensation
- Joseph [A. Mussomeli, US Ambassador to Cambodia]: Positive Points of Khmer Rouge Tribunal Make US Consider Provision of Funds
US Ambassador [at the opening ceremony of a journalism training course at the US Embassy]: ‘Free Media Are Fundamental for Solid Democracy’ - Ministry of Finance Asks Germany to Help to Train Auditors
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #582, 22.12.2007
- Sam Rainsy, Kem Sokha [president of Human Rights Party], and Prince Ranariddh Are in France, Annoying Hun Sen in Cambodia
- Joseph A. Mussomeli: Journalists Are Not to Serve Government and [political party] Candidates
- Yuon [Vietnam] to Provide Hun Sen $1 Million [for radio stations in Svay Rieng, Mondolkiri, Kampot, and Kompong Thom] to Propagandize for Yuon Communism
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