Media Groups Call On ‘Political Elite’ to Protect Reporters
More than a dozen journalism and human rights groups have called on Cambodia’s political forces to protect journalists and guarantee citizens’ access to an open and unobstructed press during the current political unrest. In a statement released Wednesday, the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, along with the Cambodia Institute for Media Studies, Southeast Asia Press Alliance and the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel) issued their call to the “political elite”—demanding protection for journalists, promoting discipline among police forces and recognizing international standards of freedom of information. Calling the National Election Committee “incompetent,” the organizations stressed the importance of post-election media coverage. “In this uncertain political situation, Cambodian people need independent and reliable information to enable them to make decisions,” the statement reads. “Such needs can be fulfilled if the media workers have, on the one hand, a capacity to demonstrate their ethical and professional standards and, on the other hand, are protected and insured by a safe legal environment.” …
Lindsey Peterson
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/media-groups-call-on-political-elite-to-protect-reporters-45436/
