SRP Lawmaker Sues CTN Journalist

Eng Chhay Eang, Secretary-General of the Sam Rainsy Party.

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer

Phnom Penh

20 February 2008

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A Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker filed suit Wendesday against a CTN television journalist for defamation.
Eng Chay Ieng, SRP general secretary, said he wanted to courts to censure Soy Sopheap for an interview with a former SRP activist Tuesday, in which the activist alleged Eng Chay Ieng entered a Poipet casino.
The story was untrue and should be considered false defamation, Eng Chay Ieng said.
"Soy Sopheap did not do his job on behalf of journalism," he said.
Soy Sopheap said Wednesday he had not seen the suit but had not reported false or defamatory information.
"According to the press law, Eng Chay Ieng can send me a letter to rectify [the information]," he said.
Chan Sarith, a rights investigator for Adhoc, said Eng Chay Ieng should ask for a correction or clarification before filing a suit in the courts.