Cambodia Demands Retraction, Apology from WSJ Over Article Headline

(MENAFN) Cambodia calls on The Wall Street Journal to immediately retract what it describes as a derogatory term used in a recent article headline and to issue a public apology, as stated by reports.

According to reports, Cambodian Senior Minister Keo Remy sent a formal letter to the newspaper’s editor-in-chief expressing strong objections to the wording used in an article published on April 19 titled “How Cybercrime Became a Leading Industry in Scambodia.”

He said the term in question raises serious concerns, arguing that it carries harmful implications for the country. “We are compelled to express serious concerns regarding the implications of the wording ‘Scambodia’,” he wrote, as stated by reports.

The article reportedly discussed the casino industry and cases of cybercrime in Cambodia, issues that have prompted nationwide efforts to crack down on online scam operations in recent years.

However, Keo argued that the phrasing risks damaging Cambodia’s international image and unfairly associating the country with criminal activity. As stated by reports, he said it could “evoke psychological damage” and “risks reducing an entire sovereign state to the source of transnational criminal activity,” while also “deliberately distorts reality in Cambodia and incites hatred and discrimination against the people.”

He emphasized that while press freedom is important, journalism should remain responsible and avoid sensational labeling, particularly when reporting on sovereign nations and sensitive issues, according to reports.

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