Citizen Journalist Summoned Over Reporting on Land Dispute

Description

On 23 March 2026, a citizen journalist (CJ) in Rattanakiri was summoned to the Rattanakiri Provincial Police for questioning following a complaint filed by two individuals.

The citizen journalist (CJ) told CamboJA on 30 March 2026 that he had posted a video on his Facebook page alleging that a private individual had encroached on community land. According to the CJ, the disputed land had been purchased from two individuals, but the new owner was allegedly attempting to extend beyond the agreed boundaries and encroach onto community land.

A few days after the post, on 23 March, the CJ was summoned by provincial police for questioning. He was informed that the two individuals had filed a complaint against him, accusing him of defamation and incitement in connection with the video.

The CJ stated that during the questioning, police asked who had instructed him to produce and publish the video. He was later asked to delete the video and record a public apology in exchange for his release.

Information
Number of attacked persons or entities related to media
1
Do they work as freelance or media?
Yes
Position in media
Other
Status of journalists
Contributor
Gender
Male
Age
25-34
Country
Ratanakiri
Full name or name of group
Identified
The name of perpetrator (individual/group)
Seng Piseth and Ly Sokngem
Background (state actor or non state actor)
Non-state actors (Political party, intolerance group, religious group, individual, private organization, private company, etc)
Gender
Male
Attack mention about gender background/sexual wording?
No
Date of incident
Type of incident
Interrogation
Please type the data source here (text)
This case CamboJA direct interviewed with effected journalist