Cambodian journalists condemn armed forces’ immoral and unprofessional act
Ranak
Cambodia News & New Youth
Phnom Penh (28 Jan 2014): A group of Cambodian journalists on Tuesday discussed and condemn the immoral and unprofessional act of the national military police who beat journalists with sticks during their news coverage on protest Monday.
Sharing his view on his facebook wall, Chhay Sophal, Editor-in-Chief of Cambodia News and Board Member of Club of Cambodian Journalists, said “All acts violating journalists are unacceptable. Both Ministry of National Defence of Tea Banh and Ministry of Interior’s National Police of Sar Kheng must order their armed men to stop such immoral and unprofessional act to journalists”
Mr Sophal said journalists have no slingshots, batons, sticks and stones to fight the armed forces but they use their brains and knowledge to observe all events and report and when any armed force is wounded during protests journalists also report.
On Monday, 40-year-old Taing Chhin Sothy, AFP photographer in Phnom Penh, was beaten by the government’s security forces while he was taking photos of military police’s dispersal of anti-government protests led by local radio station Director Mam Sonando.
Mam Sonando known as the government’s critic led hundreds of protesters to rally in front of the Ministry of Information seeking for a TV license. Then the protest became violence after police crackdown the crowd.
Taing Chhin Sothy said armed forces beat him even after he told them he was a journalist saying that
“I appeal to authorities to please tolerate journalists. Cracking down on or dispersing protests is the duty of the authorities but they should not harm journalists because international journalists do not take sides.”
Several local journalists have beaten or harassed in separate incidents in recent months.
For Mr Taing Chhin Sothy’s case, Kimsong Kay, Editor-in-Chief of Phnom Penh Post in Khmer language – said police, armed forces and security who aimed to beat up journalists, photojournalists and civilian citizen are “likely trying to coup D’ta against the principle of democracy”.
Kim Song reminded that Free Press, Freedom of Expression, Different ideas, different cultures, difference skin of human being, Free Spirit, Free Election, Free Religion are the tolls and principle of democracy are stated in the country’s constitution.
“Our beloved nation has been noted by international community with a very bad reputation already be course of Khmer Rouge region. Should allow our younger generation to blame us when well get old like 70 or 80 years old. Do politicians care about of young kids?. All Cambodian citizens are in one ROOF. Stay Safe friends and colleagues. Please continue to play your role as journalists, practice your job for a positive change in society,” he said.
In his response, Sarinn Oumm, Cambodian senior journalist working for Radio Free Asia said journalists should sign on a petition and send to the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of National Defense; and ask them “to advice their down line commanders and soldiers to stop fighting reporters”.
On Monday, Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) also issued a statement express its regret and concern over journalists’ safety in Cambodia after journalists have been beaten, especially the Monday incident when a journalist was beaten.
CCJ condemns the brutal act and called on all parties concerned, including both authorities and protesters, to help provide safety to journalists for their news coverage.
