Journalist in Mondulkiri Sued for Illegal Canal Filling Report

A publisher at MD TV News in Mondulkiri has been sued in the provincial court by Yu Chanty for allegedly committing public defamation based on two reports published on June 18 and 19.
On November 27, 2024, Mondulkiri provincial court prosecutor Hak Sieklim ordered the publisher cum journalist to appear in court this December 26 at 2:30 pm for questioning following the lawsuit filed by Chanty, who is alleged to have filled up a public canal illegally.
According to the publisher, his report was based on information given by villagers living nearby the canal as well as field reports. He said on June 20, the Sen Monorom town administration acknowledged that the canal had been filled and ordered Chanty, who is a former Koh Nhek district councilor, to clear the sand from the canal. He said the authority had visited the site earlier, following which called the district governor on June 18 for comments.
However, the publisher said he received a statement from the Sen Monorom administration, ordering the media outlet to make a correction within 72 hours. The authority said the report was incomprehensive and based on “incitement” from another individual.
On June 21, the publisher released a live video to deny the authority’s statement and asserted that no individuals instigated him to do the report. He said he did not receive further complaints about the issue until the court summons on November 27.