P.R/No. 04/07 COMFREL/MU
Press Release
On
Findings of Media Monitoring
From 1 to 14 February 2007
Phnom Penh, 19 February 2007
COMFREL has been undertaking a thorough analysis of programs across a selection of the most popular electronic and print media, including the state-run television channel (TVK), two state-owned radio channels (FM 96MHz and AM 918KHz), CTN, RFA, VOA and RFI. This has been carried out in order to review the access each has provided to political parties during the process leading up to the 1 April 2007 commune council elections.
Electronic Media
Overall findings from the given period show that, of all political parties, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) received the most coverage: 47% (equal to 55 minutes 32 seconds) of all political party coverage by all electronic media. The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) saw 20% (equal to 23 minutes 45 seconds). The Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) received 20% (equal to 23 minutes 08 seconds). Funcinpec Party (FUN) saw 8% coverage (equal to 9 minutes 44 seconds). The other eight political parties combined received only 5% (equal to 5 minutes 57 seconds). Most of the coverage was neutral in tone. In the case of the coverage of the CPP, however, 69% (equal to 38 minutes and 31 seconds) of its overall coverage was mainly positive in tone.
Separating out the results, in terms of state media coverage (TVK, FM 96MHz and AM 918KHz), the CPP received 68% of coverage (equal to 9 minutes 44 seconds), more than the coverage of all other 11 political parties combined. Additionally, only the CPP received coverage which was positive in tone (this was 62% – equal to 6 minutes 3 seconds – of overall coverage). A negative tone was used for only three political parties: the SRP, NRP and FUN. An example of this was the broadcast of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s speech of FUN which claimed that the latter party had taken advantage of its position in the coalition government.
On the Cambodian Television Network (CTN), only the CPP was mentioned (30 minute 15 seconds). One special program titled “Achievement & Genius” shows the achievements and accomplishments of CPP commune chiefs.
The three international radio stations (Radio France International, Radio Free Asia and Voice of America) dedicated more balanced coverage to four political parties (CPP, SRP, FUN and NRP) than the state media monitored. The SRP received the biggest portion of the coverage on all political parties (31% – equal to 23 minutes 4 seconds), followed by the NRP with 28% (equal to 21 minutes 27 seconds). The CPP received 21% (equal to 21 minutes 3 seconds) and FUN saw 12% (equal to 9 minutes 4 seconds). Another three political parties combined were given only 8% of coverage (5 minutes 38 seconds). The tone was mixed: most of the political parties received negative, positive and neutral coverage.
Women in politics were mentioned briefly (only 3 minutes 32 seconds) in all monitored electronic media across all programs. One mention covered the occasion of Her Excellency Men Sam An receiving an honorable doctorate from Chamroeun University of Polytechnology. Men Sam An’s achievements in politics were also mentioned and later broadcast by TVK.
Within the monitoring period, female candidates for the positions of commune chief or sangkat chief were covered for 48 minutes 32 seconds on RFA on 5 February when the first deputy chief of La-beuk commune (Chhouk district, Kampot province) raised difficulties arising in the commune.
No disabled persons in politics were observed during this monitoring period.
Print Media
Comfrel has also monitored print media (Raksmey Kampuchea Daily and Koh Santepheap Daily) regarding political news, looking at the 12 political parties standing for the 2007 commune council elections in particular.
Print media covered only four political parties during this monitoring period: the CPP, SRP, FUN and NRP. The CPP received the most coverage with 66% (equal to 25 articles). This was mostly positive in tone. The other three political parties (SRP and NRP both received 13% – five articles – and FUN saw 8% – 3 articles) saw mainly negative coverage.
All the media monitored were dedicated to giving coverage to the four bigger parties. The other eight parties combined received less coverage.
One of Comfrel’s missions is to help to create an informed and favorable climate: for free and fair elections through lobbying and advocacy for a suitable legal framework, education to inform voters of their rights and monitoring activities that both discourage irregularities and provide comprehensive monitoring data to enable an objective, non-partisan assessment of the election process.
Thank you!
For further information, please contact:
- Mr. Koul Panha, Executive Director of Comfrel 012 942 017
- Mr. MAR Sophal, Coordinator of Comfrel’s Monitoring Unit 012 845 091
- Mr. KOY Chandarith, Coordinator of Comfrel’s Media Unit 012 846 211 |
