| Twenty-four years old and born in the Kampong Cham province, Chak Sopheap was awarded a scholarship program to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations, specialising in Peace relations, at the International University of Japan. Live from the land of the rising sun, she runs a blog on which she shares, without any taboo or waffling, her committed impressions on the new environment that surrounds her, and her homeland, Cambodia. Unabashed and free, she is now among the most popular “cloggers” on the Web and in the Cambodian media. Interview with Chak Sopheap... via the Internet, of course.
Ka-set : On your blog, you establish relations and comparisons between Japan and Cambodia. In what way is this Japanese experience rewarding for a young Cambodian woman like you?
Chak Sopheap : Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to study abroad, in the United States or in Japan. For me, the United States represent a land of opportunity where people can enjoy much civil and political liberty. Living in foreign countries will help me shape my personal growth and understand how that society can function well under the same label of democracy as the one claimed by Cambodia. Japan, like Cambodia, suffered grave damages in the past, especially during World War II. yet, it managed to become one of the world’s leading economies. I feel very inspired by the Japanese model of economy as I come from a country that once knew genocide and many political conflicts.
K7 : How long have you been blogging for ?
CS : I started my first blog in May 2007. At that time, a friend of mine was striving to promote the use of blogs at the youth network camping programme I attended. I found it very interesting and thought that having my own blog would help me satisfy my passions, i.e. communicating and debating on social topics, mainly on politics and good governance. I usually try to write posts that reflect the reality of life in Cambodia and encourage more debate on those issues.
K7 : How does your family see your activism and your life as a “clogger”?
CS : My family are not so conservative. They value the importance of education and that is why they kept encouraging me to upgrade my knowledge, either theoretical or technological. They are my motivation to learn more and keep doing good things for society. Though they first appear reluctant to accept their daughter’s new career in the field of Human rights, their attitude has changed after I proved them the necessity of my choice. They are now my first support and encourage my voluntary work within the [Youth for Change Network http://youthforchange.net/ Youth for change – website of the NGO (EN)] [The NGO for which Sopheap is a voluntary worker]. They give me their consent if I want to stay overnight if I need to. It is rare for a Cambodian family to allow girls to stay overnight or to travel with other young strangers. Their trust inspires me and encourages me to be even more committed to my work.
K7 : Do you know a lot of women like you, who are very involved in political issues and use the internet to express themselves?
CS : There is an increasing number of bloggers on the Internet, both male and female. It is a remarkable example of gender equity in the field of new technology, a world more known to be dominated by men. Also, the more women interact and keep informed about the world, the higher their self-esteem will be, and the better they win other people’s trust. At the same time, I have just read a study which concludes as follows: “Men tend to write about everything apart from their personal life, mostly politics, while women write specifically about their personal life and the development they obtain”. This idea somehow appears to me as gender-biased. Blogging is shaped by people’s preferences and accessibility, not by gender.
K7 : Do you not fear that the Cambodian government might toughen its attitude towards the Internet, especially with the law currently under preparation, like it is the case in Thailand or Vietnam? Do you reckon a law is necessary?
CS : I think the increasing trend of e-communication has alarmed the government and led to restriction of the space, as it happens too with television channels or the radio, and newspapers. Recently, there has been a debate on a blog with artistic illustrations depicting bare-chested Apsara dancers. The government blocked access to that website from Cambodia, and therefore, there seems to be a tendency on the part of the government to make the cyber law stricter. Most governments agree that globalisation is unavoidable and free-market is the good path for the country’s growth, there should not be exception when it comes to Human rights and political freedom for citizens. In order to remain competitive in the global market, the access to information and freedom of expression should be guaranteed. Thus, the “Great Firewall of China” [commonly used to refer to censorship exerted by the Chinese government] or the current censorship happening in Thailand, Vietnam, or even in Cambodia should be considered as a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in those countries who nevertheless voted in favour of its adoption. It can also be considered as a political and economic barrier for citizens. There should be no “great wall” (including the Great Firewall) built in the name of national protection as it was the case in the past, especially in the digital age.
K7 : Most Cambodian bloggers live in Phnom Penh. When it comes to accessibility to digital technologies, there is a huge gap between urban youth and young people living in rural areas. Do you think that ideas spread in blogs mirror the feelings of people living far from towns? How can that gap be reduced?
CS : I do agree that the gap between urban and rural youth does exist. It is particularly the result of a problem of accessibility but it is also due to a language barrier. However, I believe that Cambodian youngsters face common challenges and similar issues. They share the same social structure, the same problems of unemployment and the low quality of education, corruption and social disorders due to crime, gangsters and infectious diseases. Youngsters from the city have the possibility to voice their concern on the Internet, and this is the only thing that makes them differ from rural Cambodians.
The above interview was made via email and chat
Chak Sopheap’s blog: Sopheapfocus.blogspot.com
Also on Ka-set 
Cloggers: young Cambodian voices find their own way on the Web (02-03-2009)
On the Net
Chak Sopheap’s blog: Sopheapfocus.blogspot.com
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