June 17, 2009, Imperial Villa & Hotels, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I. INTRODUCTORY SESSION

1. Introduction to the Conference

Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, Director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM), gave an introduction about the conference.

(Listen to the audio recording of Mr. Pa Nguon Teang's introduction)

2. Opening Speech

Mr. Seth Van Doorn, Political Advisor to the Delegation of European Commission to Cambodia, opened the conference on behalf of the Commission and Mr. Rafael Dochao Moreno, Chargé d' Affaires, who was not available during the conference.

In his opening speech, he expressed his thanks distinguished visitors of the conference, to the organizers, and to the participants.

He acknowledged that the conference is being financed by the EU under its human rights and democracy program, and that EU has spent almost 40 million US dollars to Cambodia because it believes that “democracy and human rights are vital to the development of a country.”

He stated that the role of the media is to inform the public including the policy makers about the important development in the society so that the public has access to different opinions because this is necessary to choosing the development direction. He also cited some issues affecting the media sector such as the filing of lawsuits against journalists. While Cambodia’s media is better than compared to other neighboring countries in the past, recently her ranking drops, he said.

Citing the theme of the conference, he said that the government and the journalists have the responsibility in promoting professionalism and ethical journalism. He said that the EU is supporting any initiative to contribute in the promotion of professionalism and ethical practices of the journalists. One of these support is the internet café for journalists at the Club of Cambodian Journalists and CCIM’s conference and series of activities.

Mr. Pa Nguon Teang offered a bouquet of flower to Mr. Van Doorn after his opening speech.

(Full transcription of his opening speech, click this link.)

(Listen to the audio recording of Mr. Seth Vandoorn Opening Speech)

3. Welcome Remarks

H.E. Thach Phen, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Information, gave his welcome remarks. Below is a rough English translation of his speech delivered in Khmer language.

The Secretary of State expressed his appreciation of holding this conference because there is a need to check the press law about the professionalism and ethical standards of journalism so that the media will be able to help the government in governance and promote democracy in the country.  He said that the people can use their rights in democratic processes through the media. He also expressed that the government recognizes the contribution of the media to the development.

The government continues to support the media in accordance to the international covenants on human rights, he said, through the legislation of the press law which was passed in Sept. 1995 but stated that information can be limited in accordance to the law such as when there is a threat to national security and order.

While saying that the “political parties have tainted the media black and white,” the Secretary support’s Mr. Vandoorn’s opinion that the government has the responsibility in upgrading the rights and ethics of the journalists.

After the speech of H.E. Tach Phen, Mr. Pa Ngoun Teang handed over the bouquet of flowers as a gesture of gratitude.

(Listen to the audio recording of H.E. Tach Phen's Welcome Remarks)

II. PANEL DISCUSSION: Media Practices in Cambodia

After the opening speeches, the panel discussion followed. The emcee requested the panelists and moderator, Ms. Tep Nimol, radio producer/reporter of VOD, to occupy the main table at the stage.

(Listen to the audio recording of the Panel Discussion)

1. Mr. Om Chandara, President of Press Council of Cambodia

Mr. Om Chandara, talked about “Journalism and Challenges.” Below is the summary of his presentation.

Citing the provisions of the Constitution and Press Law, Mr. Chandara acknowledged that law suits can be filed against the journalists, but there should be no censorship, and arrest of journalists on the basis of exercise of expression.

He stated three challenges for journalists:
1. Global crisis - out of the more than 500 print media, a few can afford the publication, except the TV who has a lot of money. He said he does  not know how to deal with this;
2. Professionalism: leads to arrest, extortion, playing the role of the police.
3. Journalists face criminal charges articles 59, 60-62 left behind by UNTAC.

He said that in order to cope with these challenges, the journalists and government have to work together. Further, he said that there should be more training on professionalism and the journalists must be qualified and no political party affiliation to win the trust from the public. 

2. Stephen Kurczy and Claire Duffett

Stephen Kurczy and Claire Dufett are lecturers of Royal University of Phnom Penh and at the same work as journalists. Claire has been in Cambodia for 10 months and work for various newspapers while Stephen arrived in 2007 and work for the Cambodia Daily for a while.

The two lecturers presented their ideas about objectivity in the media. Using a Powerpoint presentation, Claire said that there are two precursors to objectivity: one is balance - to make sure that parties involved included in the news; and the other one is independence - to make sure that you are not allied with particular group or political parties. Therefore, objectivity is the balance and dependence of gathering information.

Below are some of their notes in the powerpoint presentation:

 “While objectivity in Cambodia has improved in the last decade, the Cambodian press is highly pressed by political parties,” by Sith Master, former Phnom Penh Post editor-in-chief.

 “Cambodian media is free, but we do face challenges with violence against journalists, claiming articles are in breach of social stability,” Sat Sophal, Cambodian journalist, editor of Kampuchea Thmei.

How can we be objective?
         1. Suspend your judgment when looking at fact;
         2. Considers all the fact;
         3. Be modest, by suppressing your ego;
         4. Wiling to betray your friends to report fact;
         5. Ignore any stereotype;
         6. Try to be more boring.

Challenges of objectivity, especially in Cambodia:
         - Television: 8 TV pro CPP;
         - Radio: majority in PP, allied with CPP
         - Newspapers most allied with CPP; while others in the opposition—pro and against leads to bias. No Khmer language is independent.

         Pro-CPP leads to bias of the opposition as well. It is a huge hurdle to address.

3. Teruo Jinnai, UNESCO

Mr. Terou Jennai expressed that theme of the conference is important, but complex. He said that in the past there were discussion on many occasions on press freedom and freedom of expression.

Looking at the situation in Cambodia in the last years, there is an observable progress of media, he said. He further said that everyone agreed to improve the ethics and professionalism within the media sector and that we there is a need to invest more effort to address it. He also mentioned that UNESCO has a role to play in this promotion.

He raised the question about how the media learn about media professionalism and codes of conduct. He said that the content and the meaning are different from what it is supposed to be and that the people learn media ethics in many ways, at school, practices, experimenting and from others; but others do not give important to the codes of conduct at all.

He also raised another question about “What are ethics?” He explained that the “ethics” is taken from the Greek word “ethos” which means distinguishing morality, or a moral instrument for judging if human activity is right or wrong.

He said that code of ethics is instrumental in judging what practices is right or wrong and good or bad, and there is need to clarify what that practice is in Cambodia. UNESCO says that journalism should have a role to serve people in many ways and to be responsible journalists there must be knowledge, though complex, commitment for public interest with ethics, he explained. Such commitment can come from the understanding of their role in providing factual information to the public, he said.

He said that “journalism have its roots in fight for all human rights, children, progress, dignity, expression, gender equality, identify challenges and contribute to development policy especially in gender equality.” 

Finally, he recalled what Dr. Sorya (a UN Rapporteur visiting Cambodia) expressed to him who said that two days after his arrival he can already see the gap between the reality and what is written in the newspapers. So, he said, that it is question of ethics and it should be the solid foundation of the freedom of the press.


4. Questions and Answers

The moderator opened the floor for questions. The following are the questions raised by the participants.

1. Mr. Bunying, former student of DMC and information officer at World Vision Cambodia.
“I have two questions: 1) lawsuits on defamation - after lifting from criminal, the disinformation is used, I think it is still same; 2). We hear a lot about the lack of ethics among journalists, but what about the legal charges and arrests of journalists for different criminal offences?”

2. Um Sarin, CAPJ President.
“To Stephen, in terms of challenges of TV in Cambodia, pro-CPP - no political neutral; what is the ground? And how to address that?”

3. Keo Chanduong, Khmer Democratic Journalists Association.
“Can we receive information from the government, for instance, in relation to Preah Vihear case? I am afraid, because I may be charged of disinformation. I wish H.E. Phay Siphan can hold a press conference to share information.”

4. Sreang: CCHR
“About objectivity in Cambodian context; how to raise financial independence?”

The panelists were requested to respond to the questions raised by the participants.

Om Chandara:

“It is legal questions as I raised the articles relevant, but I do not know how to distinguish defamation and disinformation. Defamation means hurting people, while disinformation is false information. In terms of ethics, the ministry is working on this; quantity is not enough; quality is necessary.”

Stephen and Claire:

“I said majority of media in Cambodia is politically biased. Problem here is that it lacks of true information as noticed by the special rapporteur. What to address? As Mr. Jinai mentioned better education; time;… “

The moderator requested H.E. Phay Siphan to share his opinions to the questions.

H.E. Phay Siphan:

“I offer to come to maintain close relation with the media workers; please help me repeat the questions especially in relation to lawsuits against the media.”

“We provide information everyday. 012 444 976 my phone starts from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm. I will serve you in terms of providing information.”

“My personal impression is that some journalists are lazy considering me as a secretary of information, not other information prior to that. It thus lacks true information.”

“What is the true information? If it breaches the reality; it is not true information. Not many know what it is. You do not respect public understanding of true information. In rule of law like Cambodia, media workers should reports true information. Any attack or insult is not the principles of journalists…, Cambodia respects journalists’ expression. Tongue is important to any violence. www.pressocm.gov.kh visits this website for more information. Why not other information? It will jeopardize social order, national security; it is owned by the government/ the 2003 media leads to 20 millions and apology; Moeung Son is an obstacle; it is rumor, not true.”

Teruo Jinnai:

“What I should say? Actually, all of these have something to do with qualification of journalists. As I said some people do not care about these ethics. I think people in the media sector and the government has to come together and find the solution as H.E. Phay Siphan said. Probably, I would like to raise 3 points to improve our standards: 1) proper education at Ministry’s media center and CCI at RUPP; 2) media associations—last PCC came into being; We can set up more activities together with support from UNESCO; 3) discussion with the government to talk about right to information. The way we ask questions; sometimes I cannot reply in the middle of meeting; sometimes it is too direct for instance ‘do you like this person?’”

The moderator requested Mr. Koy Neam of the Asia Foundation to share his opinions.

Koy Neam:

“I want to contribute a bit on disinformation. I have observed the situation closely. Khmer reads only the title not the content. The true meaning is that it is a curb to any hate speech. There are two elements: 1) disinformation 2) violence and discrimination including racial. Thus disinformation alone is not enough; it must attach with violence and racial discrimination. Disinformation is not complete. In the world, 80% is false information; if disinformation is a crime; the first to be charged is the one who advertises the anti-pimples; no one is perfect; it is not a joke. Our common weakness is that when reading law, we read only the title.”

Coffee Break

At this point, 10:30 a.m., the emcee announced a coffee break for 15 minutes.


III. SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

At the resumption of the conference, Mr. Puy Kea, member of CCJ Board of Directors, took the floor in facilitating. He informed the participants that there will be a small group discussion as planned. The participants will be divided into three groups and will have 30 minutes for discussion. Each group will have a representative to report.

The groups will discuss the challenges and recommendations.

(Listen to the audio recording of the group's reporting)

Below is the presentation of the result of the small group discussions.

1. GROUP I

Challenges:
      1. Government’s officials do not want to share information with journalists we do not have right to information)
      2. No clear definition of ‘social security, defamation, disinformation’
      3. Court is biased
      4. Low salary
      5. Sensitive issues can lead to threat, and fear.
      6. Low respect of codes of ethics.
      7. Lack of training on professionalism

Recommendations:
      1. Press officer at every state department
      2. Right to information act
      3. Clear definition of ‘social security, defamation, and disinformation’
      4. Enforcing law enforcement
      5. Proper salary
      6. more training on professionalism
      7. Encourage journalists to participate in the training

2. GROUP II

Challenges:
      1. Human resources and capacity
      2. Low living standard that leads to corruption
      3. Only few government officials respond to journalist
      4. Threat concerning reporting sensitive issues
      5. Political biased
      6. Lack of legal protection
      7. Biased court
      8. under pressure from editor in chief

Recommendations
      1. More training
      2. Enforce the press law
      3. Press officer at state department
      4. Bring perpetrator of threat and other offences to trial
      5. Professionalism
      6. Media agencies facilitate training
      7. Independent court

3. GROUP III

Challenges:
      1. Salary
      2. No cooperation from local government when reporting
      3. Cooperation between journalists lacking—big and small
      4. Difficulties in reporting—no press officer
      5. Personal security—
      6. Newspaper is not widely circulating
      7. Media suppressed by government and rich
      8. Low capacity—low ethics

Recommendations
      1. Increase salary
      2. Local government creates a press officer
      3. Cooperation among journalists—share information,
      4. Independence and neutral
      5. Government officer facilitates reporting
      6. Enforce press law
      7. Journalists exempt from criminal charges—

Claire: All these problems are universal problems…free media is relatively young compared to others.


IV. SUMMARY

Mr. Pa Nguon Teang presented his summary of the results of the small group discussion.

Key problems:
       1) Seeking information;
       2) Low salary —low income, low reading;
       3) Personal security;
       4) Professionalism, and capacity;
       5) Court –impunity etc.

Solutions:
       1) Press officer at every statement department; right to info act;
       2) Increasing living standard of journalists;
       3) Training for journalists;
       4) Strengthening court; independence, end to impunity; enforce the press law;

Comments:

Sharing information; federation of journalists; lack of cooperation among clubs and associations; shall we create as an Indochinese Journalist Union (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam)?

Phay Siphan, journalist at the council of ministers:

“Khmer Mchas Srok published false information. The wording is just to attack; what can I do? I invited Khmer Mchas Srok and journalists to discuss the issue. 4th power to state building—we say but not yet act; can journalists establish an independent body to observe the ethics? How many of you understand that; national security? I know; ask me; I want to clarify if I may but time does not allow. Some of you here fabricate information. We want to have good partners that we can talk frankly. When I have problems, I can go to that talk.”

Puy Kea (CCJ):

“Now we should be careful, every journalists. WE have problems in a province, I do not want to mention; it seems that the case is fabricated; it is related to fishing lot, illegal. After the report, journalists were asked to take some money. Then the journalists were charged with extortion and put behind bar. CCJ is investigating the case—they are in detention 3 or 4 months already.”

Visarakhun (PCC):

“PCC has 15 clubs and associations; contributes to promotion of press freedom in Cambodia; provides assistance to individual journalists.”


V. CLOSING

The conference was ended with a Closing Remarks from H.E. Thach Phen of the Ministry of Information

In closing, H.E. Tach Phen expressed that the Ministry of Information is very concerned about the journalists and will consider the recommendations of the conference.  He said we very aware about the situation of the journalists, being a journalists himself.

He also said that the ministry acknowledges the importance of the right to information act and raised this to the Council of Ministers saying that state department will appoint a press officer as a focal point for journalists to get information.  He said that the Ministry will have to release a media statement on urgent national issues is urgent, which will also be posted on its website.

He also said that the ministry will highly consider providing capacity building in order to keep up with technological development.

After the conference, the participants were invited for lunch at the venue.

(Listen to the audio recording of H.E. Tach Phen's Closing Remarks)

VI. ANNEXES

1. Program of the Conference

National Conference on

Cambodian Media: Promotion of Professionalism and Ethics

7.00 – 8.00:          Arrival and participation

8.00 – 8.30:          Session I: Introduction

Introduction to the Conference

-    Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, Director, Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)

Welcome Remark

-    Mr. Seth Van Doorn, Political Advisor to the European Union’s Delegation of the European Commission to Cambodia

Opening Remark

-    H.E. Thach Phen, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Information

8.30 – 9.30:          Session II: Media Practices in Cambodia

-    Moderator: Ms. Tep Nimol, VOD Producer/Reporter

Professionalism: Problems and Resolutions

-    Presenter: Mr. Om Chandara, President, Press Council of Cambodia (PCC)

Journalism Ethics: Problems and Resolutions

-    Presenter: Mr. Teruo jinnai, UNESCO Representative in Cambodia.

Objectivity of Cambodian media

-    Presenters: Stephen Kurczy and Claire Duffett, Journalists and RUPP lecturers

Open Forum

9.30 – 9.45:          Coffee break

9.45 – 11.15:        Session IV: Group Discussion and Presentation

-    Moderator: Mr. Puy Kea, Steering Committee Member, Club of Cambodian Journalists

Group Discussions: Priority Issues and Recommendations

11.15 – 11.45:      Session V: Summary of Issues and Recommendations

-    Moderator: Mr. Pa, Nguon Teang 

11.45 – 12.00:      Closing Remarks

-    H.E. Thach Phen, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Information

12.00:                    Lunch

2. List of Participants