Threats by the Cambodian government to take legal action against journalists are increasing, sparking concerns about constraints on press freedom, says an annual report by the Cambodian Journalists Association (CamboJA).
The group monitors incidents of harassment and restrictions on journalists. Pressure on independent media outlets has increased since the government of former Prime Minister Hun Sen began cracking down on political dissent before the 2018 general election. Several independent media outlets have closed since then, and six media licenses were revoked in 2023, compared to two cases in 2022.
In “Cambodian Journalism Situation Report 2023,” released on March 20, CamboJA recorded 32 cases of harassment of 59 journalists, six of them women. In 2022, CamboJA recorded 35 cases of harassment against 54 journalists, eight of them women.
Legal action was involved in 15 of the 32 cases. These included lawsuits, license revocation, arrests or threats of legal action. At least five journalists were sued, charged with crimes or imprisoned.
“We caution against drawing any firm conclusions from these numbers,” the report said, adding that some journalists “are understandably afraid to report for fear of further reprisal.”
Nop Vy, executive director of CamboJA, told VOA Khmer that harassment has had a significant impact on journalists’ performance and writing. He said this affects people’s rights to access information to get comprehensive information.
“When journalists do not have the time or ability to write in-depth information, quality information helps the society. People cannot get information about various aspects of the society in every aspect,” he said.
Nop Vy urged the government to prosecute those who harass or intimidate journalists and to end the impunity that has permitted the harassment to continue.
Ministry of Information spokesman Tep Asnarith challenged the report’s findings, citing ministry data showing that journalists were able to carry out their responsibilities in all parts of the country last year.
“Tens of thousands of journalists, as well as more than 2,000 traditional and modern media outlets, have been working to cover, produce and disseminate all forms of information, as well as to report freely and safely at all times by professional manner, with transparency and gaining the trust and support of the general public,” he said.
At an editors’ forum in December, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the achievements and success of the government are due to the participation of journalists in partnership with the government.
He said the government has always promoted freedom of expression and the press, as well as encouraged more capacity building in the field of journalism and the strengthening of media professionalism and ethics.
CamboJA launched a new website in March that will report on journalist harassment, provide quarterly and annual updates on the status of journalists, provide data sources, and support advocacy efforts for press freedom.
Press freedom advocate Reporters Without Borders ranked Cambodia 147th out of 180 countries in 2023 for its escalation of government persecutions of the independent media.
Ser Davy in Phnom Penh contributed to this report.
