CCIM, RSF call for more details in TVK resignation

The Cambodian Center for Independent Media and Reporters Without Borders call on the Ministry of Information to release full details regarding the resignation of TVK Director- general Kem Gunawadh. The timing of Gunawadh's resignation, just days after TVK ran a CNRP political ad showing footage of government crackdowns on protestors, is highly suspect and points to a potential political motivation behind Gunawadh's departure from TVK. CCIM and RSF call on the Ministry of Information to proceed with transparency in Gunawadh's case, making public the details of his resignation. As the state-funded national television station, TVK has a duty to act in a neutral manner, providing equal access to all political parties and giving Cambodian citizens an unbiased picture of national news. However, TVK has a long history of showing the ruling party in a highly positive light, and its recent decision to air CNRP ads that deviated from that pattern may have played a role in Gunawadh's resignation. Politically motivated decision making is unacceptable for a news outlet that operates using public funds and must be stopped immediately, said CCIM Executive Director Pa Ngoun Teang. "TVK and the Ministry of Information are breeching the public trust by providing news coverage that is so politically one-sided," Teang said. "We fear that Gunawad's resignation, coming so soon after a decision to air the controversial CNRP ads on TVK, will further entrench politically biased decision making at TVK in the future, denying Cambodian citizens of their right to independent information. Reporters Without Borders is likewise concerned about the situation’s effect for the country’s press. "The resignation of the director of TVK is another sign of deterioration of press freedom in Cambodia. If there are tensions between the Ministry of Information and TVK, it means that no media in the country is safe from the pressure of the ruling party. The Cambodian government must stop to interfere abusively into editorial policy as it encourages self- censorship" said Benjamin Ismaïl, head of the press freedom organization’s Asia-Pacific desk. CCIM and RSF call on the Ministry of Information to publicly divulge the details of Gunawadh's resignation and to take steps to ensure future personnel decisions are not politically influenced.