The demise of the Cambodge Soir

The Global Witness report has certainly caused a furore here in the Penh. Last week the Minister of Information said,

...he said that the government would not take action against newspapers that continue to publish the entire content of the report. (Source)

Because the Cambodian government respects the freedom of the press and death threats are funny! Despite this magnanimous gesture of not taking action against newspapers for doing their jobs, he

... issued an order to all newspapers to stop the publication of the Global Witness report... Minister of Information wrote in his statement sent to all newspaper editors to stop the integral publication of the Global Witness report. He said that if the publication continues, he will take legal action. On Sunday, Khieu Kanharith told The Cambodia Daily by phone that newspapers can publish reference to the report, but that they cannot publish the entire report. (Source)

So the government said that it's acceptable to reference the report but not to publish it. Obviously by banning the report, the government guaranteed a wide readership, but at least internet connections in Cambodia are still operational!

Then last week Soren Seelow was fired from the Cambodge Soir for publishing portions of the report. It was not the government but CS management. Indeed the position of shareholder Philippe Monin may have played a role in the affair.

Monin, who is also employed by the French Development Agency (AFD) to act as a adviser for the Cambodian agriculture ministry, told Seelow that his article would upset the authorities and put him in a difficult position... The story did not please Monin and the newspaper’s managing editor, who summoned Seelow on 10 June and told him he was fired. (Source)

In protest at the treatment of their colleague, the editorial staff went on strike on Monday, and on Tuesday, Societé des Editions du Mekong, who publish the Cambodge Soir announced the end of the paper, ostensibly due to financial difficulties.

Reporters without Borders notes that

A Cambodia-based journalist who spoke to Reporters Without Borders on condition of anonymity claimed that the new managing editor hired by Cambodge Soir’s board last September had been given the job of "sabotaging" the newspaper.

If that is the case, he could not have wished for a better success. The paper is gone and its reputation for independence is damaged. After 12 years, it's time to pack up and go home.