The Guardian Expresses Regrets over Error in Its Report

The UK media outlet, the Guardian, has expressed its regret over its error in its report accusing Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen of holding a Cypriot passport last week.

“The editor regrets the concern caused to Prime Minister Hun Sen but it is hoped the prompt action to rectify this error provides a satisfactory resolution,” wrote Ms. Elisabeth Ribbans, the Guardian’s Readers’ Editor in her email in response to the letter of H.E. Koy Kuong, Secretary of State and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated Oct. 6, 2021.

She said that the error was notified to her by the Guardian's own editorial staff and the article was amended and footnoted accordingly.

“The article is additionally scheduled to be listed in our Corrections and Clarification column online later today (Oct. 6) (publication time 20:00 GMT),” she stressed.

In regarding to this article, the Royal Government Attorney Group has recently issued a Statement of Objection, dismissing that report of the Guardian, saying that it is untrue, baseless, and misleading.

“Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has only one Khmer nationality, has no foreign citizenship, has no residence abroad, and has never run away from the people and the country of Cambodia. The news content stating that Samdech Hun Sen holds a Cypriot passport is completely lying and untrue,” said the statement.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press