JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 09, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
The Phnom Penh Post, seen as the last independent daily in Cambodia was sold to a Malaysian investor, with ties to Cambodia Prime Minister, Hun Sen, on May 5, 2018.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed concern over the decision and the sacking of the editor-in-chief which followed.
On Saturday, the Australian owner of the Post, Bill Clough announced the sale of the English language daily to Malaysian investor Sivakumar G. The deal came after months of speculation over the future of the newspaper. It was recently hit by a USD5 million tax bill, which will now be paid by the new owners.
On Monday, the editor-in-chief of the Post, Kay Kimsong was fired, after the new owner took grievance against the Post’s coverage of the sale. In one article the Post noted that Asia PR, a firm owned by Mr Sivakumar, once ran the pro-government Cambodia Times newspaper in the early 1990s. Mr Sivakumar did not take over Asia PR until 2011, years after the Times had closed.
The authors of the story, Brendan O’Byrne and Ananth Baliga announced that they had resigned after they were asked to take the story down. O'Byrne said he had "refused and offered my resignation, which was accepted. I wish the fantastic journalists at the Post all the best".
Baliga said he "will not be returning to work at the Post. I am devastated at the prospect of not being able to work every day with some of the best journalists I know".
In all 23 staff members resigned from the Post on Monday, and in a joint statement said "Representatives of the new owners arrived today and ordered that staff remove the article from our website. They did not cite any specific factual inaccuracies. As a direct result, they also fired our editor-in-chief. All the undersigned express our disgust for this decision made in contradiction to the values of a free press."
The IFJ said: “The sale of the Post highlights the lengths of which the Hun Sen government will go to control the media in the lead up to elections. As we continue to monitor the situation in Cambodia, we stand in solidarity with our colleagues who are facing continued pressures and a difficult working environment. Democracy cannot exist without press freedom, and the press is an important component of free elections, yet this government-led crackdown raises questions about the upcoming elections for Cambodia.” – IFJ media release/Photo: Reuters
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.