Still on CTN, only CPP received positive coverage in tone (36% equal to 25 seconds of CPP’s total coverage) while the rest of it is neutral. Only NRP received negative coverage in tone up to 72% (equal to 2 minute 36 seconds) such as the reporting of the sentence of NRP’s president. While FUNCINPEC was 100% mentioned neutrally regarding the case of illegal sale of FUNCINPEC headquarter.

If we combine the three international radio channels, the 12 political parties were mentioned. Among these parties, only four parties namely NRP, SRP, FUNCINPEC and CPP were mainly mentioned. SRP received the most coverage time (26% equal to 2 hour 26 minutes 28 seconds of the time dedicated to all political parties). CPP received the second most coverage time (24% equal to 2 hours 14 minutes 24 second). FUNCINPEC got 20% (equal to 1 hour 49 minutes 2 seconds) and NRP was mentioned 15% (equal to 1 hour 26 minutes 20 seconds). The other 8 political parties combined were mentioned around 15% (equal to 1 hour 25 minutes 22 second). Most coverage is neutral in tone. However, some negative and positive tone was reported for some political parties.

Within this period, only RFA reported the 12 political parties while the other two international channels combined mentioned only 6 political parties. It is noticed that RFA has made an effort to report election news, adding 1 hour more to its Khmer daily program. The coverage in the added time mainly mentioned the election news and women in politics such as the broadcast of National Democratic Institute (NDI)’s forum on “Women in Politics” in which women leaders from CPP, SRP and FUNCINPEC could express the strengths and weaknesses of women.

If we combine all the electronic media, 12 political parties were mentioned. CPP received the most time (29% equal to 3 hours 3 minute). SRP got second highest coverage time (24% equal to 2 hours 29 minutes 23 seconds). FUNCINPEC and NRP were mentioned 18% (equal to 1 hour 53 minutes 19 seconds) and 15% (equal to 1 hour 33 minute 11 seconds) respectively. The other 8 political parties combined received 14% (equal to 1 hour 26 second 17 minutes).

Most coverage was neutral in tone. Only 5 political parties received negative coverage in tone. NRP received the most negative coverage time (20% equal to 18 minute 43 seconds of its overall coverage). An example of this was the reporting of the sentence of Prince Ranariddh charged of breach of trust to 18 months in prison and to pay 150.000 USD. CPP received negative coverage (9% equal to 15 minutes 4 seconds) such as the reporting of CPP doing election campaign before the allotted time which violated the law. Sangkum Jitniyum Party received 4% negative coverage (equal to 35 seconds of its total coverage time). Negative coverage was also heard for SRP (3% equal to 5 minute 6 seconds). An example of this was the broadcast of AM918KHz stating the corruption in SRP in ranking the SRP’s candidates standing for commune council elections. FUNCINPEC received the less negative coverage (2% equal to 2 minutes 46 seconds). Positive stories were also mentioned for the 12 political parties.

Voter education spots, programs and election news were totally mentioned for 7 hours 28 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 such as the government intention to promote women in politic, the broadcast of NDI’s forum on “Women in Politics” were mentioned for 4 hours 41 minutes 25 seconds which is much more than February’s coverage (32 second).

Within the monitoring period, female candidates for the position of commune chief or sangkat chief were covered for 3 hours 17 seconds. An example of this was the broadcast of RFA of NDI’s forum on “Women and Leaders” which candidates from SRP and CPP could read out their parties’ policy.

            Within this given period, appeals to vote for specific parties were heard in two media: CTN and RFA. RFA broadcasted the speech of CPP’s official who appealed to voters to vote for CPP in NDI’s forum. CTN broadcasted its presenter Chum Kosal’s speech who asked people to vote for CPP to repay Samdech Hun Sen who gave precise gift (house) to Borei Keila residents. Chum Kosal also mentioned clear support for CPP, raising that if [people] want all the projects to be continued, [the people] must continue supporting CPP.

No disable person in politics was observed during this monitoring period.

Print Media

The two print media (Raksmey Kampuchea Daily and Koh Santepheap Daily) combined covered only 5 political parties: CPP, FUNCINPEC, NRP, SRP and Sangkum Jitniyum Front Party. Most coverage for CPP was positive in tone (79% equal to 15 articles of all CPP’s articles) and CPP received only one negative story. Most articles for CPP covered the inclusion of news members and the praise for CPP’s leadership. While the other 4 political parties combined receiving 24% (equal to 6 articles of all political parties’ articles) saw many negative stories (4 articles equal to 67% of ) such as the reporting of the sentence of the Prince, NRP’s president, to 18 months in prison.

The findings also show that Koh Santepheap Daily (reporting 6 articles on CPP and 3 articles on the other political parties) seem to be more balance in term of coverage than Raksmey Kampuchea Daily (reporting 13 articles on CPP and 3 articles on other political parties).

There were at least three articles reporting appeals to vote for CPP in Koh Santepheap Daily. An example of this was the printed on on March 7 which CPP’s official appealed to its members to choose CPP to lead the countries. Raksmey Kampuchea published one article appealing people to vote for CPP.

Thank you!

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.

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