Cambodia: Journalist Summoned Over Defamation Lawsuit, Press Freedom and Justice Intersect

A journalist based in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, has been summoned by the prosecutor of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court to appear for questioning on the morning of September 9, 2026, in relation to a public defamation lawsuit. The journalist, Hing Chan Thon, who works for SNTV, stated that he was summoned by Prosecutor Samreth Sokhun as the plaintiff in a defamation case. Chan Thon explained that this summons comes after he had already been summoned twice as a suspect in a defamation case filed by the defendant, Ngan Bak Khaing, in August 2026. He had previously filed a complaint with the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police against Bak Khaing. According to Chan Thon, Bak Khaing had insulted him extensively on social media after he reported on a story concerning Bak Khaing's brother. The brother had reportedly given his sister, Bak Khaing, 5.5 million Riels from a bank loan to invest in a private lending scheme for additional income. However, the sister allegedly refused to return the interest to her brother, who needed it to repay the bank. When the brother went to demand the money, the sister reportedly filed a police report accusing her brother of being a drug addict and threatening to kill her. Chan Thon further stated that when he previously filed a complaint with the anti-technology crime police against Bak Khaing, no resolution was reached. Instead, Bak Khaing filed a defamation lawsuit against him. Following Bak Khaing's complaint, the prosecutor issued a summons for Chan Thon as a suspect in the defamation case. This has caused him considerable distress, leading to sleepless nights and anxiety about potential detention by the court, despite his efforts to report the truth as a journalist. After his appearance, Chan Thon was not detained. The court will proceed with the case that Chan Thon had filed with the police commissioner. He expressed relief and a belief that justice will be served. He appealed to the court to grant him justice as a journalist in accordance with the law. Regarding the defamation lawsuit, Nop Vi, Executive Director of the Cambodian Association for Journalists (CAJ), stated that he will review and investigate the case to determine the basis for the charges. He encouraged mutual understanding, especially in defamation cases against journalists, as such accusations can be broad. He also advised journalists to protect themselves from various lawsuits by verifying information sources and conducting thorough research before reporting. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Security