A female journalist for a small Cambodian newspaper claims she was threatened over the phone by a military official.

Som Sithavry, 28, of Kampuchea Thmei, said she was told she deserved to be "beaten," following her coverage of a clash between military and police in Kampong Thom province.

Som Sithavry said she was interviewing Lork Vong, a military police chief in Kampong Thom province, when Bun Thy, a military policeman, got on the phone with her and threatened her.

"Actually, the threat is indirect," Som Sithavry said Wednesday. "He said to do whatever is right, respect journalism ethics, or my legs would be broken."

Bun Thy refused the allegations but did not comment further.