PRESS RELEASE
Human rights groups have rightly called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the shooting that took the lives of Mr Wutty and a military policeman.
Cambodian journalist Phorn Bopha and her Canadian colleague Olesia Plokhii, who were investigating reports of illegal logging in Koh Kong province, gave their account of events in Saturday’s Cambodia Daily.
Based on that account, the OPCC wishes to highlight the following violations of media freedom:
- The confiscation of their cameras by military police officers
- Attempts to prevent the reporters and Mr Wutty from leaving a public road; and,
- A reported threat to the two women’s personal safety after Mr Wutty was shot when they overheard a soldier saying: “Just kill them both.”
This marks at least the second time that journalists investigating illegal logging in Koh Kong province have found themselves on the end of intimidation by military police in contravention of the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
- Articles 31 and 41 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia – the highest law of the land – guarantee the freedom of the press.
- Article 7 of the 1995 Press Law states that journalists have a responsibility to obtain news “by fair methods”. Investigative, on-the-ground reporting clearly falls within this category.
- Confiscation of materials constitutes a form of pre-publication censorship, which is a violation of Article 3 of the 1995 Press Law.
The OPCC condemns as deplorable the threats and intimidation seen this week, as well as the unnecessary and unacceptable violence by the government’s military police and other military officials who refused to identify themselves.
The OPCC insists that, in line with the laws of the country, the authorities ensure members of the press are not obstructed while doing their jobs, and that they are not unjustly accused, harassed or arrested for going about their professional duties.
The OPCC urges the government of Cambodia, which is the current ASEAN chair and a prospective member of the United Nations’ Security Council for 2013-14, to ensure that its officials do not threaten or put at risk the lives of journalists who are simply doing their jobs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Robert Carmichael, President OPCC: +855-12-941250 robert@robertcarmichael.net
Vice-President OPCC: Michelle Fitzpatrick, Vice-President OPCC: +855-12-904745 michelle.fitzpatrick@afp.com
Download the full press release here.
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FORMER PHNOM PENH PHOTOJOURNALIST TRACEY SHELTON
Longtime Phnom Penh photojournalist Tracey Shelton was recently robbed
in Libya. She lost all her working equipment -- camera, lenses, laptop
-- in a violent invasion by Libyan soldiers in her hotel room. Tracey
escaped, but she's now without gear.
Cantina and the OPCC are seeking donations to help Tracey get back on
her feet and working. Anything you could contribute is appreciated, and
can be dropped off at the bar at Cantina. Hurley will be taking
donations through Wednesday night and through Thursday, which coincides
with Cantina's eighth anniversary.
There will also be a celebration for Cantina on Thursday night, and it
would be fantastic if you could toast the institution as well as help a
fellow journalist.
We look forward to seeing you, and thank you for your help.
Cantina is located on Sisowath Quay, just north of Street 178. If you
can't make it but would like to donate, call board member Rick
Valenzuela at 092 470 702 or email him at rick@rickv.com.
OPCC presents Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism
Ever wonder if your news on the television is fair and balanced?
Find out by watching “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism”
Outfoxed examines how media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, have been running a “race to the bottom” in television news. This documentary takes an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking control of the public’s right to know.
META HOUSE
#37 Sothearos Blvd
Sunday, September 4, 2011
7:00 PM
Free admittance
Cash Bar
For further information about this screening and our group, contact
opccambodia@gmail.com
OPCC Press release for Mr Reach Sambath
PRESS RELEASE
OPCC EXPRESSES ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO OUR FRIEND
AND FORMER COLLEAGUE MR REACH SAMBATH
12 May 2011
PHNOM PENH – On behalf of the board and the members of the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC), we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Reach Sambath, the chief of the public affairs section at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
Reach Sambath passed away suddenly in Phnom Penh late Wednesday evening. He was 47 years old.
Sambath was a respected journalist for many years with the AFP news agency, and was also a much-loved lecturer to many Cambodian journalism students.
His final post was as the chief of the public affairs section of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, a position he held for many years, and one in which his trademark smile and gentle manner continued to maintain the many friendships he had retained within journalism, and to win him new friends in many other areas too.
Sambath was a consummate professional and a gentleman, and those of us who knew him shall miss him deeply.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sambathʼs widow and three children, as well as to his many friends at this difficult time.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Robert Carmichael, President OPCC: +855-12-941250
robert@robertcarmichael.net
Brian Calvert, Vice-President OPCC: +855-92-352530
brcalvert@gmail.com
For a PDF of this press release, please click on this LINK.
OPCC Presents For Neda
Ever wondered how you’ll get your news in the future?
Find out by watching the highly-praised documentary “For Neda”
The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia presents:
“For Neda”, a film by Antony Thomas
On June 29, 2009, Neda Agha Soltan was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran during the protests that followed the Iranian presidential contest. Recorded on mobile phones, images of her dying moments appeared on computer screens within hours across the world via social media sites YouTube and Twitter. Iranian opposition groups broadcast the video via YouTube and Twitter to rally support around the globe. The documentary touches on Neda’s life and the events that lead to her death along with the efforts of social media activists to get the message out.
Though unsuccessful, the protests which were dubbed “The Twitter Revolution” by journalists was the first major world event broadcast worldwide almost exclusively via social media.
After the screening, the OPCC will host a panel discussion on social media and it’s growing impact on journalism.
The panel consists of
- Laura Snook, editor of the Southeast Asia Globe.
- Tharum Bun, freelance journalist and blogger.
- John Weeks, Director of House32 web design and founder of TweetCambodia.
META HOUSE
#37 Sothearos Blvd
Sunday April 3 2011
7:00 PM
Free admittance
Cash bar