03 May 2011
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soy for KI-Media
Click here to read the original article in Khmer
Even Hun Xen NEEDS to READ KI-MEDIA: Once again, the Cambodian government is accused in recent weeks of shutting down KI-Media because it published an article claiming that Hun Xen suffers from lung cancer because he smokes cigarettes, however, Hun Xen reacted by saying sternly that he does not have lung cancer and that he continues to puff cigarettes. Hun Xen added that those who will die first is not him, but it is the KI-Media group which looked down on him.
Because a number of Internet users cannot access the KI-Media website in the past, some believe that this website is shut down by the government.
A high-ranking government official claimed that the government has no plan to shut down the KI-Media website because this site criticizes and attacks the Cambodian government leaders and high-ranking government officials. The official indicated that the government needs to read and follow up on various critical information and that it is important to preserve the freedom to receive information, freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Cambodia (sic!).
The claim was made by Khieu Kanharith, the Xmer minister of Information, during the World Press Freedom Day on 03 May 2011 in Phnom Penh which was attended by the president of the journalist association, UNESCO representatives and about 200 information students.
Khieu Kanharith, who is also the government mouthpiece, said that KI-Media is useful for the public and the government as well: “Accusing the government, we did not shut down KI-Media, but if it is blocked, it is another story, but when it comes to shutting it down, we don’t shut it down. Don’t ask us anymore, the government’s goal is not to shut it down and I need to read it also, so I may know what they are doing, their activities.”
SRP MP Mu Sochua said in reaction to Khieu Kanharith’s claim that KI-Media website is still inaccessible during the past few weeks: “We know clearly that a government official sent an email ordering Internet Service Provider to block this website.”
Pen Samithi, the president of the Cambodian Club of Journalists, said that he welcomes the government’s standing: “The comment made by His Excellency [Khieu Kanharith] regarding KI-Media in the past and in the present shows that there is a clear opening for our entire society.” (sic!)
KI-Media is a website that supports the SRP, the largest opposition party in Cambodia. It always criticizes and attacks the government leaders and top government officials.
In December 2010, the Cambodian government was accused of shutting down KI-Media once already because it accused directly Hun Xen, Chea Xim, Heng Xamrin and Var Kim Hong of being traitors who sold Cambodian land to the Viets.
Once again, the Cambodian government is accused in recent weeks of shutting down KI-Media because it published an article claiming that Hun Xen suffers from lung cancer because he smokes cigarettes, however, Hun Xen reacted by saying sternly that he does not have lung cancer and that he continues to puff cigarettes. Hun Xen added that those who will die first is not him, but it is the KI-Media group which looked down on him.
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