The National Press Council of Cambodia Celebrates the World Press Freedom Day Supported by UNESCO - Tuesday, 5.5.2009

Posted on 6 May 2009

The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 611
http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com/

“Presidents of thirteen press associations and organizations gathered at the Tonle Basak Restaurant yesterday evening. This was a big party where 90% of the journalists in Cambodia participated, to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day, supported by UNESCO in Cambodia; also officials from some embassies participated.

“The president of the National Press Council of Cambodia, Mr. Om Chandara, said during that event, ‘We celebrate this event to express our gratitude towards the journalists who worked hard during the whole previous year. We express our gratitude also to the supporter, UNESCO, which assists us in supporting the National Press Council of Cambodia in the past and at present.’

“During that occasion, the president of the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists and former president of the first-term National Press Council of Cambodia, Mr. Oum Sarin, made a statement welcoming the World Press Freedom Day, and he spoke to the national and international participants about previous activities of the National Press Council of Cambodia, seeking true information for the citizens and promoting press freedom in Cambodia. At the end, the secretary-general, Mr. Ek Visarakhun, expressed his gratitude toward UNESCO and all journalists that attended the event.

“The National Press Council of Cambodia was created in early 2007, and this organization was recognized by the Ministry of Information and the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia as an independent organization, which has the intention to protect journalists from violations of the freedom of expression and from different crimes against them.

“So far, the situation of the freedom of expression in Cambodia has been assessed by national and international observers, saying that it has declined dramatically, because murderers who killed journalists like Mr. Khim Sambou of Moneaksekar Khmer have not been identified by the authorities, some journalists were put into jail as a result of fulfilling their mission to cover information, and some others are being threatened by wicked merchants conducting illegal logging, exploiting gold mines, and trafficking contraband. It has been claimed that most of those merchants are backed by powerful people. Anyway, the National Press Council of Cambodia has its network everywhere in the country, and they are actively observing scandals affecting the national economy, natural resources, and injustice in society. The president of the Khmer Association for Democracy from the branch in Ratanakiri, Mr. Sok Sovann, said that his association directly visits places where different crimes occur, especially crimes resulting in the destruction of natural resources, such as the forest, and mines. The editor-in-chief of Khmer Eysan based in Ratanakiri, Mr. Kim Savoeun, called on international organizations such and the World Bank and UNESCO, and especially the Royal Government, to help curb crimes against the forest and against natural resource in the northeast of the country, otherwise Cambodia will lose those valuable natural resources in the near future."

Sereypheap Thmey, Vol.16, #1708, 5.5.2009
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Tuesday, 5 May 2009