Updated 11 October 2012,
Radio Australia
Representatives of RFA were called to a meeting with Cambodian Government officials who allege unfair coverage.
"The meeting was nothing more than a blatant
attempt to discourage objective reporting on the government," John A.
Estrella, the group's vice president for communications and government
relations, told Radio Australia.
"The Cambodian government clearly does not
understand the principles of a free press or the important role of
independent media if it thinks it can intimidate RFA and dictate what we
can or cannot report on," Mr Estrella said.
Emphatic denial
Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Cambodian government's Council of Ministers, told the Connect Asia program that there had been a "misunderstanding" and denied they were trying to manipulate RFA.
"We don't touch anything else, (we ask) just to watch the language, respect local qualities and local cultures," he said.
The meeting with Radio Free Asia comes ahead of
national elections in 2013, which will see the entrenched Cambodian
People's Party challenged by a newly-merged opposition coalition, the
Cambodia National Rescue Party.
However, Mr Siphan said the issue of elections was not discussed at the talks.
Independent voices
RFA is one of the few sources of independent news in Cambodia's mostly politically-aligned media.
It broadcasts Khmer-language programs on Beehive
Radio, along with Voice of America, while Radio Australia broadcasts in
English and Khmer on 101.5FM in the major urban centres of Phnom Penh,
Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
Earlier this month, Mam Sonando, the owner of Beehive Radio was sentenced to 20 years prison for inciting rebellion.
The watchdog Amnesty International has described the charges as politically-motivated and "outrageous".
2 comments:
they have to comply n respect within cambodia law's
Stop lying old dog! You're lying to much,referring to Hun sick.Take care your nation and your people while there is a chance.How many bodies guards do you have old dog? Why you need to many bodies guard old dog? How many mistresses that your old dog have? Share with ah Phay Siphan ok old dog!!!!!?????
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