PRESS RELEASE
PHOTOGRAPHER HIT BY POLICE, EQUIPMENT SEIZED
14 January 2011
PHNOM PENH – The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) condemns the actions of uniformed police on a staff photographer of the Phnom Penh Post newspaper at an eviction in Phnom Penh this morning.
Four riot police with shields boxed in and restrained Cambodian national Sovan Philong, 25, preventing him from moving as they confiscated his camera equipment.
During the confiscation, Sovan Philong sustained a minor injury to his head.
At the time Sovan Philong, who was wearing his government-issued press identification, was documenting an eviction at Boeung Kak lake in central Phnom Penh.
Police also confiscated camera equipment being used by Sovan Philiong’s brother, Hong Menea, 20, an apprentice photographer.
The police later returned the camera equipment to both photographers after deleting the images on the memory cards.
The OPCC calls on the authorities to ensure that 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.
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
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Boeung Kak lake is the site of a controversial eviction and development project by local firm Shukaku Inc, connected to ruling party senator Lao Meng Khin, and a Chinese company, Inner Mongolia Erdos Hung Jun Investment Co.
Download the PDF version here: LINK
Go Takayama is Released!
7 December 2010
PHNOM PENH – The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) welcomes todayʼs decision by the Siem Reap court to release photographer Go Takayama and the Cambodian couple who appeared in images he took as a participant at the Angkor Photo Festival.
Go Takayama appeared in court earlier Tuesday on charges of producing pornography.
It seems that the court applied the spirit of the law rather than just the letter when assessing the evidence against Mr Takayama, and the OPCC is glad of that application.
However although the OPCC welcomes the acquittal and release of all three people involved, it remains concerned that the wording of the law defining pornography as imagery that “stimulates sexual desire” allows it to be used improperly or erroneously in the case of photojournalism, art or photography.
To avoid a similar situation, the OPCC would encourage improved training of law enforcement authorities in the proper implementation of the lawʼs anti- trafficking provisions to preclude a repetition of this situation in future.
As a matter of principle, journalists, photographers and members of the media ought not be unjustly accused, harassed or arrested for going about the course of their professional duties.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Robert Carmichael, President OPCC: +855-12-941250
Brian Calvert, Vice-President OPCC: +855-92-352530
A PDF version of this Press Release is available here: Go Takayama Press Release-07Dec2010
Press Release for photographer Go Takayama arrest
6 December 2010
PHNOM PENH – The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) is very concerned at the November 23 arrest of photojournalist Go Takayama and the filing against him of pornography charges.
The OPCC urges an open and transparent trial process to better determine the nature of the allegedly illegal photos taken by Mr Takayama during the Angkor Film Festival.
The OPCC is also concerned with the wording of the law by which Mr Takayama is charged. The definition of pornography as imagery that “stimulates sexual desire” opens the law to wide interpretation that could be used improperly or erroneously in the case of photojournalism, art or photography.
If statements by the organizers of the festival are accurate – that Mr Takayama was indeed mistakenly accused – then the authorities should immediately release him and drop all charges against him.
The OPCC would urge the disclosure of relevant information concerning the case, including 78 allegedly offending photographs, to the public.
While international attention is focused on Mr Takayama, the OPCC is also concerned that the married couple who were the subjects of his photography remain in detention.
The OPCC similarly urges an open and transparent process for the Cambodian nationals involved and expects that the highest standards of justice will apply equally to all three individuals.
As a matter of principle, journalists, photographers and members of the media ought not be unjustly accused, harassed or arrested for going about the course of their professional duties.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Robert Carmichael, President OPCC: +855-12-941250
Brian Calvert, Vice-President OPCC: +855-92-352530
A PDF version of this Press Release is available here: OPCC-Press Release-Go Takayama-06Dec2010