Freest press in Southeast Asia?

RSF’s 2007 press freedom index (rankings for Southeast Asia):

Cambodia tops the list (ranked 85 in the world), followed by Timor-Leste (94), Indonesia (100), Malaysia (124), Philippines (128), Thailand (135), Singapore (141), Laos (161), Vietnam (162), Burma (164). Find out why.

Brunei is not ranked due to lack of data.

Media invited to cover 314km march for free expression in Cambodia

Invitation to the Media

Rights March
Wat Phnom to Angkor Wat
February 28-March 15, 2007
Phnom Penh, February 27th, 2007

The Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) invites the media to report on the “March for Freedom of Expression, Non-Violence, and Political Tolerance in Cambodia” from Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap from February 28th to March 15th, 2007.

Cambodian authorities urged to investigate traffic accident involving radio journalist

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is concerned that Cambodian authorities are not investigating an apparent traffic accident that has left a journalist of Radio Free Asia, Sok Serei, in critical condition.

Information from the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) and Alliance of Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) suggests that the “accident” could be a premeditated hit-and-run over Sok’s work in the past months as the maverick reporter had been highlighting civil society’s criticisms of the government and exposing corruption. One case involved a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Rural Development.

Cambodian local authority stops citizens from flying kites in demand for free expression

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is disappointed that the Cambodian local authority of Daun Penh District in Phnom Penh has prevented an attempt by its citizens to fly kites as a means of expressing their demand for legal reforms to allow for peaceful demonstration in public places.

Twenty-eight members of the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) had attempted to fly 100 “Kites for Freedom of Expression” in the park in front of the National Assembly building on the morning of 27 November 2006.

The kites bore an “f”, for “freedom of expression”. The organisers had wanted to draw the analogy of the wind being to the kite, what press freedom is to society.

Provincial governor in Cambodia threatens radio journalist for reporting on land issues

A provincial governor has warned a radio journalist for reporting on land disputes and illegal logging, accusing him of inciting disaffection among the people.

Cambodian police in no mood to see free speech take flight

Cambodian police on the morning of November 27 disrupted a peaceful activity intended to promote free expression in Phnom Penh, confiscating symbolic “press freedom” kites intended to be flown in a field in front of the National Assembly. Pictures courtesy of the Alliance for Free Expression in Cambodia (AFEC), which organized the event.

Journalist shot while investigating assault case

A journalist in Phnom Penh was shot on the foot while trying to obtain information about an assault case, according to the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ).

Sroy Nika, 27, a reporter for the biggest Khmer-language newspaper, “Raksmey Kampuchea”, was shot at a gas station in Chamkar Mon district, allegedly by the station owner’s son, on 4 November 2006.

Abolish UNTAC law on criminal disinformation, says Cambodia’s AFEC

Following recent cases of criminal disinformation suits by high-ranking Government officials, the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) is demanding for the abolition of Article 62 of the UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia) Penal Code which concerns criminal disinformation.

Cambodian editor gets asylum

You Saravuth, the former editor of local bi-weekly newspaper “Sralanh Khmer” (Love Khmer), has been given asylum in Thailand by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said the newspaper’s present editor Thach Keth on 25 August 2006.

New law limits MPs’ speech, strips them of immunity

The Cambodia National Assembly on 30 August 2006 adopted a law that will restrict its members from expressing opinions freely during the exercise of their duty.