The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 515
Still working to post Wednesday and Thursday material.
“Phnom Penh: Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the Minister of Information, led a delegation on 2 July to explain to the 5th Committee of National Assembly on Media and Foreign Affairs the situation of permissions and prohibitions of media. The questions and explanations were carried out at the new National Assembly building. Mr. Khieu Kanharith told Koh Santepheap by telephone, ‘I went there to explain to the National Assembly representatives from the 5th Committee, who wanted the Ministry of Information to explain the role of the ministry, as there had been different informations published so far, though I had already explained it in terms of the law to the National Assembly.’
“Mr. Son Chhay, the chairperson of the 5th Committee of the National Assembly, who had written a letter to invite the Minister of Information to come to give his explanations to the National Assembly, told Koh Santepheap in a separate interview that the Committee of the National Assembly wanted the Minister to explain the role of the Ministry of Information and the situation when the publication of books is prohibited – and lately also the publication of articles relating to the Global Witness report was prohibited. Mr. Son Chhay continued that the committee had asked the minister, ‘Based on which principles did the ministry act so far? How effective is the prohibition? And we asked also questions relating to the number of state radio and television stations, as the committee finds that some broadcasts are appropriate, however, some cases need correction, such as comedians whose performance relate to religion and are obscene; in general, we would like to have a review and advice.’
“Mr. Son Chhay continued, ‘The committee also asked questions relating to the writing of karaoke scripts, because observing television and inappropriate broadcasts, what action does the Ministry of Information take?’ He went on to say, ‘Moreover, we asked also about the role of inspections by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications when giving or managing licenses for radio and television stations… so far we have known that for doing business in this field, we found a document by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, announcing that those who want to run radio or television station must ask for a licenses from that ministry.’
“Mr. Khieu Kanharith said that he answered to the committee of the National Assembly that asked about the role of the Ministry of Information according to technical aspects, and according to the role of the Ministry of Information. Mr. Son Chhay said at that occasion of questioning, that the Minister said that the Ministry of Information has taken action against publications which affect personal issues and which the ministry therefore prohibited.
“Mr. Son Chhay continued that the Minister also stated that the Ministry of Information does not use complaints to the courts as the basis of prohibitions. The Ministry of Information does not have a role in prohibiting a publication, but it has a role in checking publications, according to the laws governing journalism, where the ministry has a task only to check publication. The minister continued that if a publication affects national security or causes serious problems, the Ministry of Information has a role in ordering the confiscation of published documents.
“The Minister of Information said that some prohibitions relating to national security follow global rules. As for the policy of not allowing the publication of the Global Witness report, it is because the context of the report in the Khmer language is unacceptable… The minister stated also that the government has no problem with Global Witness. Mr. Son Chhay said, ‘The government has no problem with Global Witness, but the government thinks that the Global Witness representatives in Cambodia seem to have personal issues.’
“It should be remembered that it is the first time for government officials being invited to give explanations at the new National Assembly building – the officials are:
- Mr. Khieu Kanharith
- Mr. Thach Phen, Secretary of State of Information
- Another Secretary of State [name not mentioned]
- Mr. Seng Sarun, Director of the Audio-Visual Department
“As for the representatives of the Committee of the National Assembly, they are:
- Mr. Son Chhay
- Mr. Im Run [Cambodian People’s Party – CPP – from Kompong Cham]
- Mr. Um Nhanh [CPP from Phnom Penh]
- Mr. Hou Sry [CPP from Phnom Penh]
“And some representatives from other committees also attended.” Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6081, 3.7.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Chakraval, Vol.15, #2694, 3.7.2007
- National Assembly Inaugurates New Building, Asks Naga Casino Owner to Suspend Business for Three Days, but the Owner Refuses
- Mukh Kampul: More Than 60 Families from Bak Khaeng Commune Accuse Hero King Company of [Oknha] Mr. Ly Yong Phat of Taking Their Land [Kandal]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1381, 3.7.2007
- In Five Months, Cambodian Mine Action Center Clears Mines from More Than 12,000,000 Square Meters [countrywide]
- Fire Destroys 22 Houses in Early Morning in Dangkao District [Phnom Penh]
- Red Thai Pigs [which are said to be fed with chemical food] Still Imported to Battambang Freely
- Hong Kong Marks 10th Anniversary of Chinese Control
- [US military] Air Raid Kills More Than 100 People [Afghanistan]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6081, 3.7.2007
- Minister of Information Explains the Prohibition of Publications at the National Assembly
- Pharmacists and Doctors Trained in How to Check Fake Medicines [Phnom Penh]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3200, 3.7.2007
- [Kampuchea Krom Khmer] Monk Tim Sakhan Defrocked [on accusation of perpetrating an offense against the Buddhist law because he broke the unity between Vietnam and Cambodia] and Taken Away by Bodyguards of Hing Bun Heang [Deputy Director of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Office]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4326, 3.7.2007
- Samdech Hun Sen Tells Businesspeople Trading in Land and Courts that All [grabbed] Public State Land Will Be Confiscated Back
- Preah Vihear Temple: UNESCO Decision Supports Cambodia [in listing the temple as a World Heritage Site]; Delay Is Just to Save Face of Thailand
- War for Land Recurs in Kien Svay [200 families with knives and axes oppose soldiers grabbing their rice fields – Kandal]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #442, 3.7.2007
- Khmer Soldiers Flex Muscles against Thailand for First Time on Top of Preah Vihear Temple Mountain [they prevent black-uniformed Thai soldiers, special border protection unit, from entering the temple for a visit]
- Ok Socheat [advisor to Ranariddh] and Thomico Sheltered by Nhek Bun Chhay [Funcinpec Secretary-General – they defect from Norodom Ranariddh Party to join Funcinpec]
