Sou Sdei and welcome to Campuccino, your fortnightly dispatch of key headlines in Cambodia with a dash of opinion.
To new subscribers, welcome! I’m Darathtey, a communication consultant, writer, and researcher. Learn more about my work here.
I had other stuff planned and written for this issue, then Mech Dara got arrested. So, we’re going to only talk about that today because everyone deserves to know who Dara is, and the state of Cambodia’s press freedom through the lens of his arrest.
- Darathtey
The arrest of Mech Dara, a prominent Cambodian investigative journalist, occurred during the Pchum Ben holiday, a time when people typically lower their guard and gather with family to honour ancestors and earn spiritual merit. The timing of this action shocked many, as it exploited a period of cultural significance and familial reflection. It was very mean (if you know me, you know I have a lot more adjectives to use instead of the word “mean”, but it is not even worth it at this point). Quick summary of the arrest: Dara was apprehended while returning from a provincial trip with his family. The Phnom Penh court cited a series of Dara's social media posts between September 20 and 29 as justification for the charges against him, which appear to be related to incitement. The only thing I have to say in this situation is #JournalismIsNotACrime.
Below are resources you can read about Mech Dara, the arrest, and various statements condemning the arrest:
Journalist, Noted for Scam Compound Coverage, Arrested | CamboJA News
The Arrest of Mech Dara (Part I): Repression and Retaliation | The Diplomat
International Outcry Grows Over Arrest of Journalist Mech Dara, Demands for Immediate Release | CamboJA News
Outrage as Cambodian Journalist Charged For Social Media Posts | OCCRP
Charges against journalist highlight clampdown on press freedom | Amnesty International
There are a lot more resources about this – I only request that you read at least one of them. I hope that Dara will be free soon, not only from detention but from all charges. Yes, hope, a funny word, isn’t it?
Campuccino is a fortnightly dispatch of key headlines in Cambodia, written by @DarathteyDin.
I’d love to hear from you. If you have feedback or content ideas, please write to me at hello@darathteydin.com
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