P.R/No. 05/07 COMFREL/MU
Press Release
On
Findings of Media Monitoring
From 1 to 28 February 2007
Phnom Penh, 05 March 2007
COMFREL has been undertaking a thorough analysis of program across a selection of the most popular electronic and print media including the state-run television channel (TVK), two state-owned radio channels (FM 96 MHz and AM 918KHz), CTN, RFA, VOA, 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, the state media (TVK, FM 96MHz and AM 918KHz) and private television channel CTN dedicated the vast majority time of political parties coverage to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). These channels still continued broadcasting with huge imbalances.
On the state-media, CCP received the coverage more than the other 11 political parties combined did. Positive tone was used for only CPP with 9 minutes and 12 seconds while the other 11 political parties receiving less coverage with 31% were broadcasted only neutrally and negatively in tone.
Cambodian Television Network (CTN) covered only CPP (32 minutes and 25 second) during the one-month period. 89% of CPP total coverage was positive in tone. An example of this was during the “Geniuses and Achievements” program which CTN’s present Chum Kosal raised that CPP’s members from central to local has no free time as they are busy visiting the local.
7 political parties were mentioned in the three international radio channels combined. Among these parties, only four parties namely NRP, SRP, FUN and CPP were mainly mentioned. NRP received the most time coverage (36% equal to 1 hour 15 minutes 18 seconds of the time dedicated to political parties) while CPP received the less coverage (13% equal to 26 minutes 49 second) compared to the other three mentioned parties.
Still in these international channels, the four mentioned parties received neutral, positive and negative coverage in tone with almost similar percentage.
If we combine all the electronic media, there were four political parties received comparable coverage. CPP received 29% (equal to 1 hour 22 minutes), followed by NRP 28% (equal to 1 hour 18 minutes 8 seconds), SRP 23% (equal to 1 hour 4 minutes 55 seconds) and FUN 15% (equal to 42 minutes 59 seconds). While the other political parties combined received only 5% (equal to 10 minutes 49 seconds).
Voter education spots, programs and election news were totally mentioned with 6 hours 46 minutes 39 seconds. Most of the coverage was the NEC’s “Understanding the Election” program and spots produce by NGOs including COMFREL.
Women in politics were mentioned briefly (only 3 minutes 32 seconds) in all monitored electronic media across all programs. One mentions 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 broadcasted by TVK.
Within the monitoring period, female candidates for the position of commune chief or sangkat chief were covered for 48minutes 32 seconds. An example of this was the interview of female Olympic commune chief in CTN’s “Geniuses and Achievements” program.
No disable person in politics was observed during this monitoring period.
Print Media
Comfrel also monitored print media (Raksmey Kampuchea Daily and Koh Santepheapdaily Daily) regarding political news, looking at the 12 political parties standing for the 2007 commune council elections in particular.
Only five political parties namely CPP, SRP, FUN, NRP and Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party were covered by the two print media combined. In February CPP received the most coverage with 34 articles (equal to 51%) which is more than the combine of other political parties’ articles. Most coverage for CPP was positive in tone 24 articles (equal to 71% of all articles reported on CPP) while the other 4 political parties combined receiving 33 articles (equal to 49% of all political parties’ articles) saw many negative stories 15 articles (equal to 45%), neutral articles 17 articles (equal to 52%) and only one positive article (equal to 3%).
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 |
