By Sun Narin
February 14, 2011
CAMBODIAN Association for Protection Journalists (CAPJ) conducted a round-table discussion over the new criminal code and journalist professionalism this morning. The meeting was chaired by Information Minister Khieu Kanharith, chief of CAPJ Oum Sarith, Under secretary of state of Ministry of Justice and two legal experts.
The new criminal code consists of 672 articles and no less than 20 of which are relevant to journalists. The new criminal code has been put into practice since December, 2010 which is also the concern from some NGOs and journalists since it is the limit to journalist’s rights.
The speakers provided the information and advised what journalists should do and how can they perform their work professionally.
However, the speaker from the ministry of justice who prepared the new criminal code said that the code is important and it can maintain social order, safety and security. The speakers said that the journalists are not outside the law and also not over the law and they also have no privilege.
The meeting discussed the questions raised by the participants concerning what journalists should do to avoid being punished when they are reporting or writing specific situation.
Noting that all the criminal codes related the journalism are followed by the press law.
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