Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Cambodia's Sentencing of Journalist Over COVID-19 Comment a Threat to
Freedoms, Media Groups Say

Sun Narin

   PHNOM PENH - The conviction of a journalist who reported on comments
   that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen made publicly about COVID-19 is a
   threat to all reporters covering the pandemic, local media groups say.

   A Phnom Penh court gave Sovann Rithy an 18-month sentence on Monday but
   ruled that the journalist, who has been in custody since April, be
   released for the remainder of the sentence.

   Kuch Kimlong, a spokesperson for Phnom Penh Municipal Court, confirmed
   that
   Rithy, 31, who runs the news outlet TVFB on Facebook, was convicted of
   incitement and that he would be released.

   "The remaining prison term has been suspended as of (Monday's)
   verdict," Kimlong said.

   VOA Khmer could not reach Rithy or his family for comment.
   The Cambodian Journalists Alliance, a nonprofit media organization,
   said it was disappointed by the conviction, but welcomed the court's
   decision to suspend the prison sentence.

   "This is the first time a journalist has been convicted for their
   coverage related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a threat to the
   freedoms of Sovann Rithy, as well as other professional journalists who
   are reporting on COVID-19," said Nop Vy, executive director of the
   group.

   The Cambodian Center for Independent Media also warned the conviction
   could impact the way reporters work.

   "This sentence can affect the right to freedom (of journalists) and a
   journalist's work, since they just report public speeches of the prime
   minister," Ith Sothoeuth, media director at the nonprofit, said.

   Between July and Sept., 15 journalists in Cambodia faced attacks,
   detentions or court complaints, the Cambodian Journalists Alliance
   said.

   Ros Sokhet, publisher of the Cheat Khmer newspaper, and Sok Oudom,
   owner of the Rithysen Radio News Station, were arrested on similar
   charges to Rithy and placed in pretrial detention.

   Oudom's wife, Nuth Sovanthou, said that a court investigation into her
   husband's charges has concluded, but a hearing has not been scheduled.
   While no official restrictions were placed on the media during the
   pandemic, access to information was centralized through the Health
   Ministry, with provincial authorities and medical officials refusing to
   comment on the COVID-19 situation in their hospitals and provinces.
   In April, the government voted through a state of emergency law that
   gives the administration sweeping powers, including prohibiting the
   publication of news that it determines can cause "panic and chaos."
   Domestic and international rights groups criticized the law, which they
   said was too broad and vague and could allow the government to act
   without a court order.
   The extended powers have not been used against the media, but the
   government has jailed citizens who voiced criticism of its response to
   the pandemic. Some were forced to make publicly broadcast apologies and
   sign agreements to refrain from publishing similar information online.
   Chilling effect

   The Rithy verdict and the wider government clampdown on freedom of
   expression has had an effect on some local journalists.
   Khan Leakhena, a reporter for the local news website Voice of
   Democracy, said it was worrying that journalists who reported the news
   truthfully were being convicted.
   "If they want to arrest us, even if we publish accurate (information),
   they can do that because they want to retaliate or target us," she
   said.

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