Political correctness driven prejudice masked as objective journalism?

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Reference: Lèse majesté law under fire after teacher’s arrest

Editorial by Manekseka Sangkum

Just as with the way in which the word "yuon" has been transformed from an everyday term for ethnic Vietnamese - an age-old vocabulary used by all Khmers/Cambodians since this particular sub-Chinese group had set foot on the Indochinese peninsular, simply because there had been no other words in the Khmer language to use - into one that is forbidden, grounded in the wholly baseless presumptions that bind the term to "pejorative" and or "derogatory" implications and undertones, this so-called lèse majesté law has little to do with the presumed 'dignity' of the monarch himself, but everything with those whose agendas and purposes he is there to serve and endorse.

When such a mundane and customary reference acquires official or quasi sanction or disapproval, its usage and application in the public domain immediately shifts context, forcing ordinary people to think twice over its habitual and take-for-granted nature out of fear and official punishment of some kind. But, the broader effect of both the term and the law mentioned here does not stop with people being afraid or hesitant in the course of exercising their freedom of speech and expressing an opinion. 

Where a people are fearful and constrained in speaking out over matters that involve de facto official censure or repercussions, they generally tend to steer clear of such matters altogether by imposing a form of mental self-censorship in their minds. If simply referring to the ethnic Vietnamese living and settling in the country as "yuons" becomes an act of taboo then it must be sensible and for one's own good and safety not to reflect upon or comment about whatever any other activities they might be engaging in? In fact, fear as it has been bred as a result of totalitarian regimes throughout much of Cambodian history has made ordinary people accept or overlook common occurrences of social abuse and injustice around them as something inevitable; ones where a little bravery and timely intervention could otherwise help resolve or prevent. It's about minding your own affairs!

In fact, the man now still running and ruining the country himself once suggested that anyone heard saying "yuon" this, "yuon" that must be held in the under-suspicion category! This is also a pattern repeated by the likes of the Phnom Penh Post among other press outlets, regrettably in contradiction of their commitment to ethical and fair standard in reporting social facts. One of the signs of the Post's lack of professional objectivity in this regard is how it routinely and studiously marks down Opposition figures and ordinary Cambodians with the mention of the word "yuon" in their remarks or speech whilst the same term used by their ruling counterparts are completely ignored or almost never invites their disapproval!

It's a poor journalism that allows political correctness and political agendas to compromise its core values, and worse, ignoring constructive suggestions for rectification. 

Given the scope - or lack thereof - for independent media in Cambodia, this is a tragedy for a people who have known only what they have been told to.