| 2nd Conference of Cambodian Journalists |
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS To view the PDF version, please click here.
CONTENTS AT 8:15 a.m., the emcee announced the opening of the conference and it began with the singing of the national anthem and followed by the welcome remarks and introduction. Welcome Remarks and Introduction By Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, Director of Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)
Mr. Pa Nguon Teang welcomed the guests and participants of the conference. He described briefly the program of activities of the conference as indicated in the conference program. He also mentioned that a press conference will follow right after the end of the conference. After the welcome remarks, the emcee called on the next speaker to give the opening speech.
Mr. Seth Van Doorn expressed his support to the conference which is part of the project funded by the European Union. He said that the project of CCIM is funded for a period of two years and this project focused on promoting independent media.
Speech: Value of Having Common Code of Ethics for Cambodian Journalists
After the opening speech, the emcee called on Mr. Om Chandara to give his talk on the code of ethics. Below is the edited transcription of his speech which was delivered in Khmer language. “Mr. Seth Van Doorn, Representative of the EC, the main funding organization of this conference, the UNHCHR, the CCIM and other agencies. I also would like to express my respect to the US embassy representative and representative of the Ministry of information for participating in this conference, especially resident and vice president of journalists associations and journalists who are from the provinces, from the rural areas so that this is the journalist’s interest and they have to participate in this conference. We know that our journalists need support and they also need to live independently and for hemselves.” “As president of the Press Council of Cambodia, I would like to say a few words. In Cambodia, so far we have produced a lot of media articles, newspaper articles, we have more than 370 newspapers, 39 bulletins, magazine more than 150, 9 TV stations, radio stations more than 40, TV cable network nearly 100 stations and 19 journalists association and these have been approved by the government to operate in Cambodia. Here I’m not just talking about media outlets example in the internet.” “The Cambodian media is only 16 years old now. According to articles 31-41 of the 1993 Constitution it supposes the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, association by Cambodian people and also forbids any expression that can affect the owner, the refutation of some of the individuals and national security.” “From 1992 to 1997, more than ten journalists have been murdered and these dangers were evaluated as terrible in some forces. First, because the security could not be ensured and the country was still at war that time and the armed forces and the companies was very in disarray also that’s why some of our journalists could have been protected. Second, and because the journalists themselves they used their freedom and when the readers they don’t understand they didn’t understand the principles of media and because they thought our journalists insulted them and some of the journalists they don’t interview anyone but just wrote the articles. For example like one of our senior journalists was attacked in his office because of writing an article that was effect to individual. So this is something about how dangerous for the journalists during that time. “ “From 1995, the Press Law was adopted and also a lot of professional training for the journalists was conducted one after the other and also because of the win-win policy of the government in 19998 to promote peace in our country so the media community started to improve its image from that time and like Mr. Seth Borisoth he was a founder of an institute (CCI) and also trainer. Mr. Puy Kea, Mr. Mann Bunthoeun, and Mr. Pay Heak are their own and their old journalists too they have lot of experience in journalism and trainers for many journalists which has been lot of contribution from well-known journalists. In order for the media sector to become another power in addition to three other powers like the executive, legislative and judicial powers, the media serve specter its code of ethics and some of it is stipulated in the press law in order to, for example like Buddhist monks in order for the people to respect them how their respect they need to they need to learn how to respect themselves first and so likewise for journalists they need to have their code of ethics they need to follow their code of ethics. You can go beyond your code of ethics you cannot just accused anyone and you need to find the true source of information because before you published before as you write an article you cannot just plunder you cannot just saying that is untrue. This is something about ethics or precepts, or dharma, of the journalists.” “Of course the code of ethics is not a law but it is just a kind of internal rules that require that some group of professional associations, professional groups, are supposed to follow. What about morality, ethics, even though it is not a law. For women in the past we call this “Chbap Srey” (women’s law.). And the people respect in the past but now not at all. Before if you propose a marriage you need to look around in the kitchen of that house whether the girl or the woman takes good care of the parent’s kitchen in the house or not. Safer for our journalists if we breach other ethics it means that we breach our professionalism and so they have to force us to implement under the law. Indeed the strong journalist and supported from the people is not only have skill in writing but also have their own responsibility and morality in professional journalism.” “According to the press law, it requires all media outlets or associations to develop it own code of ethics. And the code of ethics developed by each media association. So whether it is good or better or not so good so we will see, but now today we have our common code of ethics here so we will try to stick to middle way it doesn’t mean we try to eliminate the code of ethics of other associations or media associations.” “In additions or practice or compliance of code of ethics, we will not just bring only journalists respect from the society but also contribute to help the journalist to avoid the legal actions of the state. We will bring them benefits for their professionalism. Nonetheless, respect for code of ethics is not something about coercion, it is not about kidnapping, it is something we stick to the precepts, the dharma, and you do your self-censorship. But in the press law there is no self-censorship and so that’s why we have freedom to write but we need to follow our professionalism, we need to respect the code of ethics.” “Every journalists need to work together in order to create a unit or an association to help monitor and evaluate the practice or compliance with code of ethics by the journalists as well as those who work in the same profession. When we have code of ethics and if we need to have the dharma in ourselves so we should have someone to control the implement of the discipline you will follow, like any monks who follow their Buddhist rules and they are also subject to punishment. This is something about the code of ethics.” “May I express my thanks to our colleagues, his excellencies, participants to this national conference on code of ethics of the journalists in cooperation between Cambodian Center for Independent Media, Press Council of Cambodia and Cambodian Press Working Group. The code of ethics is not yet done and we will see how good it is for our own value. Thank you very much.” Speech: “The Lack of Ethics Practice of Cambodian Journalists” Mr. Puy Kea, Member of Executive Director Committee of Club of Cambodia Journalists (8:40-8:55)
At around 8:57 a.m., Mr. Puy Kea, was called on by the emcee to deliver his topic. Below is an excerpt of the edited transcription of his speech which was delivered in Khmer language. “I think that in fact some of you here you have a lot of experience than I do, and so you are more senior. In fact I have been involved in the media sector or about like 15 years only. Internationally, I have some more experience than you but it terms local experience I have less, I am sure that may be I have lack of understanding deeply about local media and code of ethics but I have heard from other colleagues. “ “I have been with a lot of discussions with Mr. Pen Samithi, Mr. Kola, Mr. Chandara and they are all experienced journalists and people like Mr. Mann Bunthoeun, Mr. Khoun Blaivy and Mr. Borisoth, in the past about the challenges in the implementation of the code of ethics here in Cambodia.” “I also discussed with my friends in other countries like in Philippines, Thailand, Japan and US and they said that the code of ethics is the same as what they called yellow journalism, this is something which means writing a report without respect for the code of ethics.“ “Yellow, is just like a cartoon, in order to attract the public or readers they put something in yellow, So, now they still use parts of the articles like more about the scandals and sometimes it is wrong, so in order to attract the audience and readers attention. So that’s why some of the journalists have been sued.” “Coming back to the Cambodian media, I know that there are some ethics already but dissemination still been limited. Some of our journalists did not go to the school or training and in the area of professionalism and ethics. So this has not yet been available and if there is a lack of ethics so how it affects our profession, what is important is that the result we end up being sued. So, this is something we need to be careful in our profession. But in general we agreed that in most cases the lack of code of ethics especially for our journalists at the provincial levels, I’m sorry, this could affect the reputation of our journalists, but in any country the same problems particularly the code of ethics is a problem for the provincial journalists, but not for the national level journalists they have a bigger picture, they are exposed to more information, nationally and internationally. That’s not in the case in the provinces or provincial level. So, they don’t have much idea and knowledge about ethics so they have low salaries at the provincial level just only like 30, 50 or 70 dollars a month, so they need to seek out their living, they need to earn, sometimes some of the journalists will act as a policeman, military police, gendarmerie, or forestry administrator. So, that’s why there have been a lot of law suits against our journalist. And some of our journalists had been accused of breach of trust or fraud. So, why the journalist at the national level do not have many problems with this? Maybe because of low salaries, like we have more than two or three times higher compared the Minister of the government. So, if our standard of living is strong and we have confidence in ourselves and we don’t think about financial gain or how to generate income unreasonably.“ “In fact for me, I have never sought anything from the minister, sometimes I need to pay for him like lunch or food, or something like that for getting the information from government officer. So I am not blaming you but we need to be careful because in the past sometimes we play the role that is not appropriate, especially those at the provincial level. So, please reconsider, you don’t play the role of others like police or authorities. There have some reports received by the Cambodian Club of Journalists that there have been some cases of illegal logging or illegal transportations of logs by water and sometimes our journalists they just go to the water and measure many cubic meters the log or timber. So that beyond your role.“ “Sometimes some of the presidents of media outlets they allow their subordinates in the provincial level to do something inappropriate, for example, they take some monthly financial wage or pay from the people who operate slot machines in the provincial level and urban area so that they do not publish or write about their gambling. Like also in Kampong Thom, the fishermen of illegal fishing lots are afraid that if the journalists will broadcast in the media their fishing lot might shut down, so they asked the journalists to come and give some money. Then the journalists will face a lawsuit of extorting money from the fishing lot owner. So, we conducted an investigation.” “When something is written in the articles, there is something wrong going on. So when they are called to some places they fall into the trap of others. And the editor in chief in the national level sometimes they know or they don’t to take action, so what are the consequences, we missed that information and you can see only in the media like wishing articles, wishes to dignitaries or VIPs in the government or Katen festivals and like that – full on the front page of the newspaper. Instead of giving actual information of what is happening in the local level of the country. When this happens that a journalist is sued in performing their profession and they also violate the code of ethics.” “And maybe Mr. Pa Nguon Teang has already distributed this to all of you and can just have a look at it. So you can now know what to do to avoid abuses. So the consequences are that it humiliates, it lowers the value of our journalists. In other countries, like Thailand, they invite journalists if there is an individual violates the code of ethics they are invited to a meeting and then they can advice, or instruction, or education or something. So, we can show the cooperation from individuals, so that’s why if we will integrate the code of ethics also, so how powerful it is if the individual violates the code of ethics, whether the individual will? come or not or will listen to the advice of the council or not. In Thailand and in the Philippines there are the same problems they invite the individuals violating the code of ethics.” “Since I saw a representative from the Ministry of Information here I want also to say something that in the past there true and untrue journalists. And some of them are just business people, sometimes they contact the association and then they want to have a membership with the media club or something, and because we are loose and we issue membership cards to those people. I think the Ministry of Information should examine this.” “In some countries investment in the media is large and in big countries they are able to finance the salaries of their staff. But in Cambodia, you know, the capital is very small and so they have low salaries and small media outlets, so they have low income.” “Another small code of ethics regarding, like transportation, I saw some vehicles like motorcycles, cars they used press plate numbers. This is something small that we should strengthen our ethics. And I think when we meet in our groups we will discuss this in greater details and I can share all this experience and knowledge to share with you.” “After a very brief summary the speech, the emcee asked Mr. Pa Nguon Teang to give some gift to the honorable speaker. Then, the emcee announced to have short break and invited the participants to share some snacks outside the conference room.” After the speech, the emcee announced a coffee break. Workshop: Draft of Common Code of Ethics for Cambodian Journalists
Group Discussion After the break, Mr. Pa Nguon Teang facilitated the division of participants into four groups and each group will occupy each corner of the conference room. Mr. Teang informed the participants that each group will have an assigned facilitator. The facilitators are the following: Group 1 – Mr. Por Setha Group 2 – Mr. Sok Sovann Group 3 – Mr. Hen Phearak Group 4 – Ms. Lim Seangheng
Mr. Teang also instructed that each group will discuss the draft code of ethics part by part and the parts are assigned to each group. Group 1 – From introduction to section 2.6Group 2 – From section 3 to section 6 Group 3 – From section 7 to Section 8 Group 4 – From section 9 to the end
The participants were further instructed that each group is given one hour for discussion, until 11:00 a.m., and that each group should choose a presenter to report their discussions.
After the group discussions, the plenary session was called for the presentation of each group on the results of their discussion on the code of ethics. The group presentation was moderated by Mr. Bou Saroeun, World Bank Information Officer. The moderator called on the presenters of each group to report the results of their discussions. Each group presented their comments and suggestions to the draft code of ethics. The suggestions include rephrasing of some provisions, replacements of some words used in the draft, and introduction of new words. The final version of the draft code of ethics is presented here at the appendices. The presentation and plenary discussion was finished at around 12:30 p.m. and the participants were invited for a lunch at the venue. Lunch Break Mr. Teang announced that a copy of the approved code of ethics will be printed and the participants are asked to sign on the document as evidence that the participants have agreed on what they have agreed so far on the code of ethics. Mr. Visarakhun, Sec. Gen. of PCC, commented that the code is not yet sufficient and there it is not yet time to make it final. However, Mr. Teang, reiterated that the code is not yet “final” as this will be amended overtime, but today we agreed the code and the participants should confirm the approval of the code by attaching their signatures on the original document. Speech: Strengthening Ethics of Cambodian Journalists Mr. Sek Borisoth, Advisor of Press Council of Cambodia
Mr. Borisoth began to explain by saying that ethics is necessary in any country for any profession. To have the code of ethics is not enough, it should not only be in paper, it has to be strengthened, he continued. Below is the excerpt of the edited transcription of his speech delivered in Khmer language. “I think if an international agency’s salary of $2,000 and it is still not enough for you, there should be a mechanism to control human’s ambition or greed. Some of our journalists still do other activities instead of following the code of ethics because they are ambitious, they are greedy. Well, there’s nothing ad but that is the nature of human beings but there is a lot of mechanism to control that.” “So the code of ethics is a mechanism but we need to strengthen it, to enforce it. In our country it is not difficult if you want to see the code of ethics f there are negative points committed by our journalists. My recommendation is we should consider the cooperation in our code of ethics, because they will say.. “uh, you are not brave enough to be responsible for our actions.” This is something that we can see, we know, and we should consider. When I think of actions against the code of ethics, for example, accepting money from some politicians, who is now accepting bribes just only some amount.” “We should consider this, because if we will not, the people will not value the journalist. If you continue to receive bribe it will affect your professionalism. People will not trust you when they see you accept some money or something from other people.” “At CCI, I used to train young journalists and support journalists because I was a trainer of journalists but sometimes I afraid journalist because he is not separate the tendency of professionalism. He wants to write a criticism text and quote the words of someone and the interviewee want to speak in the middle way with the word “if...“, but in his writing he cuts “if”, that mean the interviewee support this idea. Another point, I’m not criticizing you because it iis still developing this code of ethics, but I see some weaknesses and strengths that you should prove. There is one habit that the journalist writes a story of an individual, like a story of a couple, a personal story, and then the individual argues “Why don’t you issue the correction to the article?” And then you ask money from the person who asks you to publish the correction. But this trend already declined. It is already mentioned in the code of ethics the separation of information and opinion. For journalists and media outlets they still include their personal opinions in order to draw readers.” “Professionalism sometimes not according to the standards and code of ethics for example when you experience difficulties like when your child is in the hospital and your charged 300 to 400 dollars and the journalists is not able to pay for that. So, they have to do betray their professionalism and to do something in order to get money to pay for his child in the hospital. So, how can we deal with this? If we have the code of ethics council may be we can discuss this. If this one will not be dealt with, it can affect the profession and the people will not trust you, so you are no longer needed. Especially in this profession, when they see you they will just say that I don’t have any time for you anymore.” “Internationally, there are many organizations responsible and protecting the human rights and freedoms of journalists but they can do so only if you follow professionalism. But if you are wrong, they cannot protect you.“ “If the media is weak, the politicians can give you money and they will manipulate you, they use you to protect their political interest and it also destroys basic of democracy. Thomas Jefferson said that” a state exists with a government without freedom of the press and a state exists with freedom of the press without government” he will choose the last one. Recently I saw one article that 13 journalists in Sihanouk Ville asked the minister of information to take action against one journalist. Why? How could they do that? Why do they ask the minister to do that? This mean we give the handle of the knife to the government. We have a lot choice to discuss together to solve this problem by our journalists and now we are discussing about code of ethics” “In conclusion, I support the development of the code of ethics but I am concerned about the enforcement of the code of ethics. Enforcement is very important. The code of ethics is already formally endorsed, but for me, I personally think it is too long. For me I just only like to have four or five important points. Easy to understand, easy to follow. And we create a mechanism to monitor. For example, if the journalists commit a mistake of they are wrong, they misbehave, so, what actions can you take. If the code of ethics has only five bullets points, so they are easy for us remember. That’s my personal opinion, nonetheless, I respect the majority opinion.” “Thank you. I want to conclude my speech here.” Workshop: Planning for Strengthening Journalist Professionalism and Freedom of the Press in Cambodia
After the speech, the emcee announced that another group workshop will follow. Mr. Teang took the floor to facilitate the division of the participants into groups and gave instructions on what to discuss in the workshops. The participants were divided into three groups. The previous three groups will be the same grouping and those who belonged to the previous group number four will have to join any of the three groups. Each group will propose action plans which will indicate the type of activity, objective and the target group. The groups are given 45 minutes for the workshops. The workshops began at 3:40 pm. The workshop was moderated by Mr. Keo Chan Doung, Deputy, Khmer Journalist Democracy (KJD). Group Workshops and Presentation:
Group 1: 1. Workshop on freedom to access of information with government officials, journalists, students, etc. 2. Conduct short training courses on code of ethics, journalism for the journalists 3. Establish a council of code of ethics in order to promote the code of ethics among the journalists to promote the code of ethics to the journalists. 4. Strengthen relation with international and regional journalists associations to promote exchange visits 5. Conduct training courses on IT and foreign languages because journalists have limited skills in accessing foreign information. Also include government staffs for the training. Group 2: 1. Conduct training course on journalism to promote journalism and the target group are the journalists 2. Create group to monitor the enforcement of code of ethics. 3. Organize 6-member lawyers to help the journalists. So the journalists have problems we can rely to our lawyers to help. 4. Work on the adoption of the access to information law. Organize a national workshop among the journalists to disseminate the law. 5. Create advocacy group for protection the advantage and the rights of the journalists.Group 3: 1. Conduct training on writing articles to strengthen the skill of the journalists in writing news, hot news, feature story, and news analysis. Also include training course on other areas such as on environment, agriculture so that journalists know how to write articles well. Participants will include journalists especially from provincial level. 2. Expert training on photography – to ensure journalists know how to take good pictures3. Organize meetings (quarterly, semi-annual, annual) to discuss the enforcement of code of ethics for journalists. Invite members of the media to joint the meetings. The objective is to make the journalists understand the role and responsibilities. 4. Creation of council of code of ethics – member of the council should be from each association to oversee because each association has their own procedures. Concluding Session Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, CCIM Director After the coffee break, Mr. Pa Nguon Teang presented the summary of the activities of the conference describing briefly the activities in the morning and in the afternoon. He also presented the plans discussed in the small group workshops. 1. Training of journalists on skills and code of ethics, IT, foreign language 2. Training courses on journalism 3. Seeking lawyers to support journalists on legal actions 4. Enforcement of access to information and information law 5. Request for the creation of advocacy group of freedom of expression 6. Photography 7. Holding of quarterly meetings of journalists After the presentation, Mr. Teang called H.E. Nov Sovathero for the closing remarks and announced that the press conference will follow. Closing Remarks H.E. Nov Sovathero, Secretary of Ministry of Information
Below is the edited transcription of his speech delivered in Khmer language. “Thank you Mr. Pa Nuong Teang. Honorable members and journalists of the conference, I am also a journalist myself. It is a great honor for me be designated by Minister of Information to this conference presiding over the closing ceremony. This is very important for our journalists especially with regards to the code of ethics. I am a journalist, so what is important is that I am a human being, it is just like you. I don’t know anything more than you do.” “My tendency is inclined to watch the dharma or precepts. But we cannot avoid that, because talking about dharma, or talking about code of ethics. When we talk about code of ethics, we talk about our people, ourselves. And if we don’t understand the term code of ethics it means that no matter how much we write we still don’t understand. So, I believe that, the first conference and this conference we have spent lot of money, resources and time. But my suggestion is that, I want Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, representative of CCIM, the PCC, and so on, so please check, examine this carefully, because if it is wrong and there is a mistake, it is just like the button of our shirt. If we mis-button we fasten your shirt in the wrong button.” “So, please check carefully because this code of ethics is very important, it is just like, as I said, in the workshop organized by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights on the protection of the journalist according to the law. But I think that was the second step or the last resort when journalists make suffering or differences. It is just like saying that the cow is gone so we must make a fence. So, code of ethics is just like an amulet to protect us. So, I would like to appeal to you before you decide you decide carefully before you make it final. And today I would say what the code of ethics is. It consists of three terms, three words. If we say “code,” code is a law. Ethics means “moral,” or “morality.” What is meant by moral? It means that behaving good, doing good deeds not bad deeds, not bad actions. Please understand. So this means you do something good, you do something right, not wrong. For monks means “dharma,” or morality is doing something in good way. This means that it is a code that educates people to get rid of bad behaviors, bad habits, bad actions, and unscrupulous activities, immoral activities.” “So morality or ethics, is it western or what? No, it is a Buddhist philosophy our Lord Buddha reminded us since 2,500 years past. But we never study about buddhist’s philosophy. Actually, the more I look, the more I love Buddha, I respect our Lord Buddha very much, so the question is, the code of ethics, what else should we have to strengthen ourselves. There are five precepts do not steal other people’s properties, don’t drink alcohol, and so on. So, for journalists, they shortcut that is something true, others only report that is not the truth. So, what they are doing now? If we respect the code of ethics, we adhere to the precepts we can be free from danger. So, what are the problems we are talking. For example, people have problems because of three words and you all understand, first is greed, ambition, violence and aggressiveness. If you are greedy, and you are violent, you are hungry, and what about aggressiveness. This means that you are stupid, your mood is angry, the more stupid you are and if you kill someone and then you become a criminal or murderer. So let us not call a doctor but a stupid person.” “So, where the three words come into your voice, and you can not manage yourself you will see other two words appear. You are already educated. Jealousy, envy - in this envy there are two versions – the (michaikati) and the (pichaikati). The michaikati means that you think in the wrong way because of … love, you feel with your friends, your relatives, your siblings, or something like that. The pichaikati is the wise judgment because for fear of the power of (audas). If you don’t believe… If these two terms appear, so it make you jealous and envious, so you need to think carefully before you do something, if you want to be successful. And another term (amichaichiva).. you think in the wrong in any business that you have gotten. I told you, your wife, your children need you, if you try to lower your phone when you have a call, what you should do, what is the benefits. My experience is that we survive for struggle, not die for struggle and we should know that there is no cause that the court wills take the ghost to stand before the court that is want I wanted to say. So, as journalists when you have the code of ethics, you study the five precepts, like when you give offer to the monks, the monks always chant the five precepts to you and if you are not accept which one that you don’t want is up to you. So as journalists we need to know how to think quickly and what is right.. sometimes you cannot avoid, and when there is a problem, who suffer losing happiness is the wife, the children. So we are unable to do our profession, professionalism, because we love our kids, our wife, our family, But we also love our profession. This is something that I want to share. I just speaking quickly because Mr. Teang only give me 15 minutes. So the terms precepts, morality, ethics here is very important. The way you behave internally, you behave honestly, not immorally, you behave morally.” “So the document that Mr. Teang distributed I saw one term “incitement.” When I attended one workshop of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights regarding the legal protection of journalists. In one province when the people protest in front the governor’s office and LICADHO was there and then they accused LICADHO of incitement. So, the word “incitement” is very vicious. So it is more vicious than AH1N1 which is highly infectious. This is something that we should consider. However, I am happy to support this code of ethics. It is the first step for the journalists and the second step is to protect them by law. With this first step, the code of ethics, the journalists will know how to behave, but sometimes they write articles that affect others and you face repercussions. So you strive for this struggle not struggle to die. And in the end you appeal to the king to pardon you. It is not his business. Why should you do so? And there a party whose stance is to win the benefit or curse the government. So we can say that because this is the first point and it is something that affects us, it is the amulet that protects us very effectively. That is the second choice that being in prison or if you can write an apology letter you can get pardon, or you can be forgiven.” “I have the copy of the code of ethics from Mr. Teang but personally I do not have much time to read to thoroughly. Sometimes some of the wordings are not very appropriate, sometimes lack of adjectives or nouns that or that are often misplaced throughout the document. But let me just express my happiness to see his especially before you our journalists. Fortunately I can see that you have the principles or precepts to remember before you can do something that can affect others, you are going to jail. But in general, only in small number, I’m sure in the future our journalists will be very influential using their pens. So when you write you should check carefully so that you can enjoy peace and you can earn more income. So, that’s what I wanted to say. So I wish you all success in your work and I believe that this code of ethics does not end here. Please check it, go over it again and again before writing and I believe that this code of ethics will become the common code of ethics because I see many participants from many journalist associations. You must be feeling very tired, I would like to conclude my speech here. I wish you all the five Buddhist blessings. In addition to this five Buddhist blessing, I wish all prosperity and success in your life.” After thanking for the speech of H.E. Nov Sovathero, Mr. Pa Nguon Teang thanked for the speech and assured the secretary to examine the code of ethics again and again. Then, he announced that the press conference will follow. PART TWO: PRESS CONFERENCE After the conference, the press conference followed with H.E. Nov Sovattero, Secretary of Ministry of Information, and Mr. Om Chandara, President of PCC, at the panel. Mr. Pa Nguon Teang moderated the press conference. The following are the first batch of questions from the participants. 1. From Chan Doung of Khmer Journalist Democracy Association: “The press law was created so far, how does it develop now? Is there any amendment to the law related to the journalism?” 2. From Kortieth to H.E. Sovethero: “Today we learned about the code of ethics for our journalist, some of our colleagues in the provinces complained we do not have yet a common code of ethics. So is there any strategy from the ministry to support the journalists like allowances so they can survive or such as training, and others?” 3. From Vy of VOD to Chandara: “About the code of ethics, in our discussion for an hour in my group, some of our members viewed that this code of ethics should have a disciplinary action, enforcement, and monitoring of the code of ethics. As far as PCC is concerned, have you implemented this?” “The second question to H.E. Sovathero: This morning I learned about the code of ethics, the people outside the profession should not be given a journalist card issued by the ministry but sometimes people use this advantage and use this in the wrong way and it reduces the value of the profession of the journalists especially those who practice outside the profession, the question is: what is the measures taken by the ministry.” After the questions from the first three persons, the moderator requested the concerned speakers to reply to the questions. Mr. Om Chandara: Mr. Novy said our journalists have associations and have ethical committees and I will not object because we have 18 or 19 journalist associations and each association normally they have their own ethical committee. Each association can have their own committee but the main principle is to have one thing in common code of ethics and each association should do according to this one. We have our respective ethics and I think they are more or less the same. Each association has its own but if these associations will have a common ethics committee, I think it will have strong influence. This ethical committee is not only responsible to oversee or the enforcement, but also have to address the problems faced by our journalists, for example if journalists need lawyers. H.E. Nov Sovathero I still recall that I was asked with this question before like a human need to change since was born to adult and so on. The press law was created in 1995. Less than 2 years, the ministry of information was established. Our experience of the law still low, so that’s why I never condemn our ancestors who created the law, but in fact, in the contrary, I appreciate very much the effort that we are the new generation, we should make amendments. What I disappointed about is that none of the articles is protecting the journalist. There should be an article that protects the journalists. If we have the opportunity to amend the law I would do so, I don’t want to see the journalist to go to prison. “I have said in several occasions, I have an impression to amend this law. I have been in consultation with some legal experts at the Council of Ministers like H.E Lam Chea, H.E Sok Sophal and they also saw many lacks of this law. If an article requires an amendment, we would do it. We would rewrite any article that will serve the interest of the journalists and incorporate new provisions. Any provision that is not consistent will be null and void. It is only my idea, it’s not an official yet.”“…About our law, your concern is right because the law does not mention it, other than the journalist should maintain the confidentiality of the source of nformation. It does not mean, I’m challenging the ministry, but I will read this over and over again because my profession is like you as journalist.” “…Please be hopeful that I will try my best. One time, two times, and not successful, I will walk away.” “Question number two from Mr. Kortieth. This question I will answer jokingly. Working as journalist is luckier than anybody because you have no money to spend, but I am wrong. I began to serve this profession in 1993 when I finished my high school. I went to the army, and then I face many problems, then I joined the Funcinpec, I switched my party but I did not betray the party. During that time I only have 300 baht, we were struggling to survive. My salary then was 300 baht until I have 2 children, so how can I survive, I can survive but difficulty but we love our profession.” “About Nop Vy question: In terms of journalist ID card. I will report to the minister when returns. The answer for this question is I don’t know because this ID-card was in-charged by the director-general of the general department of information and broadcasting.” “Make sure that I survive through my journalism, like no one respects the code of ethics. Number two, study hard and review it if you have time. When your articles are published you have to be responsible of your actions, for you have written. Don’t be afraid. Whenever your write you put your name because you respect the code of ethics. So, why should you be afraid? You follow the code of ethics, the five precepts. Do not do something immoral.” The moderator opened the floor again for more questions.
Third question, but rather a suggestion, asking the secretary to protect our journalists especially those who are detained or accused. 5. From Sok Sovann of Khmer Democracy Association: Question for Chandara: In relation to the code of ethics that we discussed today in cooperation with CCIM, I would like to ask what is the objective of PCC? or what is the next step? When will this become final? Question for Sovathero: Will the Ministry of Information study this code of ethics or not? 6. Thida from FM93.5, question to Chandara: In the past have you worked to push the National Assembly to pass the access to information law. You continue or not, because we don’t know where it is now. What have you done in the past and what else will you do to make sure this passed quickly? Question to Sovathero: The newly passed criminal code has some articles related to the journalists and there are some legal concerns that if this will be passed it will have more problems to the journalist. What would you do? 7. Visarakhun of PCC: …The PCC has no clear information and cooperation from the Ministry of Information. I want to know what should we do so we can enforce the code of ethics, how can we encourage others to cooperate. Mr. Om Chandara: “… In Cambodia we have 19 associations, now we have here around 16 associations, and included here the Club of Cambodian Journalists, here is majority. We worked for the code of ethics for ourselves only, not for other people. The PCC, even I am the president, I’m just a representative, you are the members, so, you should promote with support from the ministry and national assembly as well for the journalists to comply with the code of ethics and here we have majority with 16 journalist associations and they can not close our eyes. My idea is what we are doing here today is not useless at least, we know what is the value of code of ethic. This will not happen overnight because since 1993 until now we just have prepared code of ethic for journalists. Now we understand a lot, we are careful about what we write.” “…We need to push the law on access to information. Under the press law, article 5, It does not give any penalty to those who did not give the information. The journalists have the right to ask for information and you have one month to wait for the response. …If no response, nothing happens.” Dr. Sovathero: “We have been discussing for one full day full day in order to come up this code of ethics. Now we are developing a law for ourselves. This is something that binds you.” “Second, why the people do not give information. We ask information form others and they don’t’ give us. For example, you want to get information about flooding, you ask “how many people die, etc.” but they don’t give you information. The MOI works very hard by provide training spokespersons in each ministry…so it is better than before that we can interview spokespersons.” “I hope that our journalists, everyday your facing hardships. So, reform, amendment, modifications, require time resource, money, and power, strength, stamina. We try to make it for our children. We have many young journalists. The young journalists can continue to make it happen. “ To Vuthy: “How can the MOI protect the journalists? One strategy is to run away from the journalists. …How can we help? Only transformation, or change, or make amendments or make a new law, only that can resolve that problem.” To Sok Sovann: “The MOI will not consider the code of ethics. This is not the work of MOI, this is your business. If we involve, we interfere. We are not going to examine this, but the MOI will not abandon you. If you ask us to check, we will not check, because it will be considered as interference in your business. If you say to ask MOI to give comments, we will be happy to give comments.“ To Thida: “The MOI will help/protect the journalist. The release of the journalists, so, that’s why my boss wrote a guarantee letter. …If the journalist is arried and the journalist is imprisoned, more suffering to the family. We write a letter to release the journalists. We can not close our eyes in the face of suffering facing our journalists. The question about the criminal code, let’s bind ourselves. The MOI help the journalists a lot. “ To Visarakhun: “It is right to have ethics and need participation from all associations. We are the journalists, the more we participate, the more you are concerned about your future. In the beginning I support the creation of the code of ethics as the first choice for you to bind yourselves. My advice is for you to check so that you cannot make mistake. The more you participate, the more you are successful.” Finally, Mr. Teang declared the end of the press conference. Appendices Program of Activities 7:30-7:55: Registration 7:30-7:55: National Anthem 8:00-8:10: Welcome Remarks and Introduction Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, Director of CCIM 8:10-8:25: Opening Speech Mr. Seth VAN DOORN, Political Advisor to the European Commission's Delegation to Cambodia 8:25-8:40: Speech: Value of Having Common Code of Ethics for Cambodian Journalists Mr. Om Chandara, President of Press Council of Cambodia
8:40-8:55: Speech: Lack of Ethics Practice of Cambodian Journalists |
