Two online media licenses revoked for violating journalism ethics

The Ministry of Information revoked two media outlets’ licenses – www.Kruth01.com and www.Khmerpostnews.com – for allegedly “severely” violating professionalism and journalism ethics, according to a statement on May 9, 2024.
Owner of Kruth01 denied the allegation, saying that he has not committed any wrongdoing and declined to comment further. “I am very upset with the decision,” he said.
Publisher of Khmerpostnews also denied any wrongdoing, noting that he did not receive prior notice from the ministry and was not called in for discussion before the license was revoked. “I don’t know the reason or the mistake I made which led to the revocation,” he said.
A majority of the content published by these media outlets concern the activities of government officials and authorities.
Meanwhile, ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith alleged that the two media committed a crime relating to extortion and that “prior notice had been given” before their license was revoked.
Between January and May this year, three online media licenses have been revoked for “severely” violating professionalism and journalism ethics.
The ministry is currently drafting “the country’s chapter of professional journalism”. Prime Minister Hun Manet said the initiative to establish a chapter is to “set standards of practice on journalism ethics, putting in place measures to prevent and eliminate violations of journalism ethics”.