The power of names

Names have power. It can be interpreted in a spiritual or practical manner. Spiritually an entity that can name you has power over you. Practically, if somebody knows your name, they can get your email address and phone numbers and annoy you constantly.

In Cambodia, a journalist received a death threat for using a general's name

On 2 May 2007, General Pol Sinuon threatened to shoot Chim Chenda, a reporter with local newspaper "Kampuchea Thmey", for addressing him by his name. (Source)

The general claimed later that he was kidding - death threats are hilarious dont'cha know, especially for such an offense. Obviously this has been taken very seriously by no one in government and everyone in reporters groups.

IFJ President Christopher Warren said the incident showed flagrant disregard for journalist safety.

"It is disgraceful that the general believes he can simply laugh off his violent threat to the life of Chenda," Warren said.

"Worse still is the fact that the government has not called for an investigation or public apology.

"Silence on this disturbing incident makes the Cambodian government complicit in the culture of violence against journalists and impunity for their attackers," he said. (Source)

It's not the first time, of course, that Cambodian journalists have been threatened and it is not the first time that the government does nothing or is complicit.

In September 2006, Soy Sopheap, a TV journalist with Cambodian Television Network (CTN), received a letter containing threats to kill him. It was allegedly sent by an anonymous military general who was unhappy with the news analyst for choosing to read reports criticising corrupt civil or military officers.

A month before that, newspaper editor You Saravuth was forced to flee the country after he received death threats for publishing an article that implicated Okhna (Lord) Hun To, a nephew of Hun Sen, in land grabbing. (Source)

Names may have power but to react with such implied violence in a culture of impunity demonstrates the depth of the lawlessness. The rights of every group that does not toe the party line precisely must be protected because there is always the possibility that someone will end up in a suitcase and a domestic dispute will be blamed.