Journalist Sued for Report On Powerful Individual Involved in State Land Encroachment

On November 5, 2024, an online journalist of ICDTV media outlet in Kep Province was questioned by Kep Provincial Court following a complaint made by Sao Saroeun, who is said to be a military officer.
The journalist was sued for violation of privacy after his media outlet published reports on August 10 and 22 that Sao Saroeun was allegedly involved in clearing and encroaching state-owned mountain land in Damnak Chang'aeur district in Kep.
The journalist said the report was based on sources from villagers and documents issued by Damnak Chang'aeur district authority.
“I think that [journalists] who dare to speak the truth and refuse to accept bribes from people who encroach [state-owned] forest land always suffer,” the journalist said.
A letter sent to Sao Saroeun by Damnak Chang'aeur district administration on September 10, 2024, informed him of his illegal occupation of a land measuring over 89,000 square meters where he built a concrete road, toilet and other infrastructures. The administration asked Saroeun to stop constructing other buildings and clearing more land.
The journalist said if any public figure believes that an article harmed their reputation, Article 10 of the Press Law should be applied by asking the media outlet to correct or remove the picture of that person from the publication rather than file a lawsuit.
After the report, a complaint was sent to the Ministry of Information once by Saroeun before he filed a lawsuit against the journalist.
On September 20, the ministry invited the journalist to discuss ethical journalism and urged ICDTV to observe ethics, and abide by the Charter of Professional Journalism.
On October 26, 2024, the ministry issued another warning letter, ordering the media outlet to remove the articles, images, and videos published on August 10 and August 22, 2024, related to Sao Saroeun.
The publisher of the ICDTV outlet said the two reports were removed after they met ministry officials and Sao Saroeun, and apologized to Saroeun.
However, the institution decided to republish the August 22 report which was initially removed after Saroeun filed a suit against the journalist in court.