Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Kandal nixes CNRP television antenna

Kandal nixes CNRP television antenna

CNRP members, including Kem Sokha, collect donations for the planned Sun TV station in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district last year. Photo supplied
CNRP members, including Kem Sokha, collect donations for the planned Sun TV station in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district last year. Photo supplied

Kandal nixes CNRP television antenna

Local authorities have officially blocked the CNRP from building a television antenna on land it bought in Kandal province, further setting back the party’s attempts to establish a TV station ahead of upcoming elections.

The decision, based on health concerns expressed by 21 nearby families, deals another blow to the beleaguered Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was awarded a broadcast licence as part of a deal to end the political stalemate following the 2013 disputed elections.

Yim Sovann said the move was clearly politically motivated but said the opposition could not afford to contest the ruling, saying he hoped the next location would not present such hurdles.

“The next location will be a location with no one living around, and then if they want to find some pretext maybe they have to say that the monkeys do not want the antenna.”

However, Takhmao town governor Heng Theam yesterday maintained that politics did not play a part in its rejection of the antenna on the parcel of land in Deum Mean commune’s Stung Chrov village.

He said the sub-national administration had complied with government principles by responding to the villagers fears about radiation emanating from the antenna.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website reports that research from health authorities around the world suggests “there are no established health effects” linked to emissions by broadcast towers.

Asked about the numerous TV antennas built within close proximity to houses in the capital, he said: “Phnom Penh is the issue of Phnom Penh; the issue of Takmao is the issue of Takmao”.

Eang Vuthy, executive director of Equitable Cambodia which represents villagers in land disputes against often politically-connected companies, said he doubted such claims.

“You see 100,000 people lose land across the country and you see antennas have been planted inside the city, sometimes on top of the houses, and not many people complain about this,” he said, adding politics clearly played a role.

Stations affiliated with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party have long dominated the airwaves, and the CNRP had hoped to get its own station up and running before the end of this year, ahead of the 2017 commune elections.

CNRP lawmakers Eng Chhay Eang and Yem Ponhearith yesterday visited a new potential site for the station though declined to reveal the location at this stage.

Chhay Eang said it was impossible to say when the station might be up and running.

“If it was our decision, we could say when it would begin but for a large number of issues we are not the decision makers – it remains the decision of the authorities.”

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.