An overwhelming number of reporters, 192 to be precise, have lodged their grievances against the Cambodian Ministry of Information over the extortion charges levied by the Top Diamand Casino located in Takeo Province. The casino alleges that there were 828 individuals pretending to be journalists who manipulated their supposed status to obtain free meals and cash presents, initiating an official investigation.
The Government Pledges to Respond
The Minister of Information, Neth Pheaktra issued a stern warning to the journalists implicated in the graft, ordering them to report to the Ministry within a month to clarify the circumstances and abet the ongoing inquiry. So far, 192 representatives from 107 media outlets have complied, indicating their willingness to help in clearing up the accusations made by the casino.
Tep Asnarith, the spokesperson for the Information Ministry, made it clear that any journalists or media establishments failing to confirm their identities would face potential litigation. Article 7/11 of the Press Law prohibits journalists from accepting bribes or engaging in extortion for releasing or withholding information, providing the government with an appropriate legal pathway to prosecute the suspected offenders.
The Top Diamand Casino has vowed to work together with the authorities, specifying that its initial allegations targeted individuals and not media institutions or corporations. Several renowned media firms have also come forward, denying any participation in the scandal. The incident has attracted considerable attention domestically and poses a threat to the credibility of journalists in Cambodia.
The Ministry Prioritizes Journalistic Integrity
Preliminary investigations found that many on the list of alleged culprits were not connected to any recognized media, and were likely impersonating press workers to access freebies. Nevertheless, the Executive Director of the Cambodian Journalist Alliance (CamboJA), Nop Vy, implied that the media industry as a whole could take this case as a lesson.
Our focus is on the preventive aspect, by enlightening, reinforcing media comprehension, and offering professional training to journalists. All stakeholders must participate in this process.
Nop Vy, CamboJA Executive Director
Speaking to The Khmer Times, Vy stated that enhanced awareness campaigns would help journalists to better comply with ethical codes and permit them to conduct their jobs professionally without any conflicts of interest. He stated that the only way to improve public perception about media workers and dissolve doubts about their integrity was by strictly adhering to these standards.
This recent incident underlines Cambodia’s continuous struggle with corruption. Though the nation was removed from the FATF Grey List in February 2023, it continues to have issues with illicit gambling and money laundering. The Ministry of Information is committed to tackling these observed breaches of ethics and ensuring that journalism in Cambodia maintains legal and professional norms.
