Login Register

Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Pageant ban a freedom of expression issue



Pageant ban a freedom of expression issue

| Publication date 07 August 2009 | 08:01 ICT

Pageant ban a freedom of expression issue

Dear Editor,

I think it is very sad when a private art gallery is so intimidated by the arbitrary view of a government ministry that it cancels a legitimate, albeit slightly controversial, photographic exhibit with a decent purpose. I think it speaks very poorly for the state of free speech and free expression.
Historically, the arts have been a haven for free expression when more direct channels were repressed. There's a saying that bad things happen when good people stand by and do nothing. I think it is also very sad that the diplomatic powers lack the will or the courage or the integrity to speak openly, clearly and honestly to affirm the human rights they claim to cherish. I wonder what will happen next in the Kingdom of Wonders?

Jim Mizerski
Phnom Penh

Send letters to: [email protected] or PO Box 146, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Post reserves the right to edit letters to a shorter length.
The views expressed above are solely the author's and do not reflect any positions taken by The Phnom Penh Post.

MOST VIEWED

  • ‘Kingdom one of safest to visit in Covid-19 era’

    The Ministry of Tourism on January 12 proclaimed Cambodia as one of the safest countries to visit in light of the Kingdom having been ranked number one in the world by the Senegalese Economic Prospective Bureau for its success in handling the Covid-19 pandemic. In rankings

  • Ministry mulls ASEAN+3 travel bubble

    The Ministry of Tourism plans to launch a travel bubble allowing transit between Cambodia and 12 other regional countries in a bid to resuscitate the tourism sector amid crushing impact of the ongoing spread of Covid-19, Ministry of Tourism spokesman Top Sopheak told The Post on

  • Kingdom accepts Chinese vaccine, PM first to get jab

    Prime Minister Hun Sen said China would offer Cambodia an immediate donation of one million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine produced by the Sinopharm company. In an audio message addressing the public on the night of January 15, he said Cambodia has accepted the offer and

  • Reeling in Cambodia’s real estate sector

    A new norm sets the scene but risks continue to play out in the background A cold wind sweeps through the streets of Boeung Trabek on an early January morning as buyers and traders engage in commerce under bright blue skies. From a distance, the

  • PM asks India for vaccine help

    Prime Minister Hun Sen is seeking assistance from India for the provision of Covid-19 vaccines as the country has produced its own vaccine which is scheduled to be rolled out to more than 300 million Indians this year. The request was made during his meeting with

  • One million Chinese Covid-19 jabs to start rolling in from February

    The government has confirmed that Covid-19 vaccines from China are set to begin arriving in Cambodia by February. This came as the Ministry of Health recorded two imported cases of Covid-19 on January 18. While calling on people to remain vigilant against the pandemic, ministry spokeswoman

Related articles