Cambodia Demands WSJ Retract “Scambodia” Term Over Cybercrime Report
Senior Minister Keo Remy, who heads the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, sent a letter to WSJ editor-in-chief Emma Tucker raising concerns about an article titled “How Cybercrime Became a Leading Industry in Scambodia,” published on April 19.
In the letter, Keo stated, “We are compelled to express serious concerns regarding the implications of the wording ‘Scambodia’.”
He argued that the term could “evoke psychological damage” and risks portraying Cambodia in a way that unfairly associates the country with transnational criminal activity. He also said it “deliberately distorts reality in Cambodia and incites hatred and discrimination against the people.”
The WSJ article reportedly focused on cybercrime activities and the casino sector in Cambodia, alongside government efforts to crack down on online scam operations in recent years.
While reaffirming respect for press freedom, Keo stressed that responsible journalism should avoid what he described as sensational labeling and should maintain fairness and accuracy when reporting on sovereign states.
He also noted that cybercrime networks are international in scope and cannot be attributed to any single country. The letter highlighted Cambodia’s ongoing enforcement efforts, including legal reforms and increased action against online scams.
Cambodia’s request includes the removal of the term from the article, issuance of a correction or clarification, an apology, and a commitment to avoid similar terminology in future reporting.
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