Phnom Penh: In a statement released on October 2, 2024 by Ministry of Information, following the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's decision on October 1, 2024 regarding Mech Dara, an individual charged with incitement to cause serious unrest affecting social security, the Ministry of Information of Cambodia sought to clarify its stance on the case and its implications for press freedom in the country.
The Ministry emphasized its commitment to closely monitoring the ongoing legal proceedings against Mech Dara and urged both the accused and his defense attorney to gather pertinent evidence to support the case. “The one who commits the offense shall be liable according to the law,” the Ministry stated, reinforcing the principle of accountability within Cambodia’s legal framework. Furthermore, it indicated that should Mech Dara require additional defense support, the Ministry would consider such requests under predetermined legitimate conditions applicable to other journalists.
However, the Ministry was quick to point out that the charges against Mech Dara are not related to journalism. This distinction is critical, according to the Ministry, which called upon various associations, non-governmental organizations, and other involved parties to refrain from linking the case to journalism or making claims about the state of press freedom in Cambodia.
In addressing the broader concept of freedom of expression, the Ministry asserted that actions such as falsifying information, posting inciting messages, and distorting facts—especially with malicious intent—do not fall under the protection of press freedom. It highlighted that if an individual involved in such acts is indeed a journalist, their behavior would still not be considered a legitimate exercise of journalistic rights. The Ministry reiterated that any violations occurring outside the framework of responsible journalism must face the civil and criminal consequences as dictated by existing laws.
Despite the ongoing case, the Ministry reaffirmed the Royal Government of Cambodia's dedication to promoting press freedom. It stated that Cambodia shares a global commitment to combatting false information and misinformation to safeguard the public's access to accurate information, thereby upholding democratic principles. Citing the 2024 Report on Press Freedom in Cambodia, the Ministry noted that the current state of press freedom is favorable, indicating that the government believes it is supporting a healthy media environment.
An important detail mentioned in the statement was the status of Mech Dara's journalist ID card, which the Ministry revealed has been expired since the end of 2022, with no renewal request filed. This point underscores the Ministry’s assertion that Dara’s individual actions should not be seen as reflective of the overall state of press freedom in Cambodia.
