Voice of Democracy (VoD) radio, one of the few remaining independent media outlets in Cambodia, stopped broadcasting on Monday after the prime minister ordered the license to be revoked, a decision criticized by academics and activists.
Hun Sen, in power since 1985, announced the decision on Sunday night.
The ruler, who in 2017 launched a repressive campaign against independent media and the political opposition, argued that the broadcaster, in a recent publication, damaged his “dignity and reputation” and that of his son Hun Manet.
According to the article published on Wednesday by VoD, which directly quotes the Cambodian government spokesman, Hun Manet, chief of staff and deputy commander of the Cambodian army, exceeded his powers by signing an order to deliver aid to Turkey after the earthquake.
The prime minister initially demanded an apology from the outlet, but despite a statement issued by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media – the organization that runs the station – regretting any confusion caused by the article, he ended up ordering its closure. Of the radio
“Revoking VoD’s license is bad news for Cambodia’s already damaged media landscape. It is a serious setback for independent media ahead of the country’s mid-year general elections,” reacted Cambodian researcher and analyst Marc Pinol.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson called the station’s closure “outrageous and ridiculous” and said the real intent was “to further suppress press freedom.”
Cambodia is scheduled to hold a general election on July 23, with Hun Sen seeking re-election, and his Cambodian People’s Party facing a fragile opposition, led by the Candlelight Party, largely made up of members of the outlawed Cambodian National Rescue. in 2017.
“The campaign against VoD is an indication that the elections will be neither free nor fair,” added Robertson.
Source: TSF
