Media freedom at stake in Cambodia: government closes access to media outlets

02-08-2023

Lone de Chene

South East Asia and Pacific Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch released the news that the Cambodian Government has issued an order to internet service providers to block access to online websites and social media accounts of three major independent media outlets. This happened under the guise of a directive issue, giving the government the power to block media that are considered to “disseminate misleading news affecting the honor and reputation of the Royal Government and that fail to comply with the requirements … [of] the Ministry of Information.”

It is not the first time that independent media is under threat in Cambodia. Last February, Voice of Democracy, a huge news platform, was revoked of its license. As were other platforms. This has raised concerns about democratic freedoms and freedom of expression in the country. The government's actions, including blocking Radio Free Asia (RFA) content and adopting laws requiring surveillance software, violate international obligations to protect freedom of expression and information. There have been attempts to suppress media outlets critical of the government, such as shutting down The Cambodia Daily and controlling the Phnom Penh Post. The recently conducted 2023 Cambodian general elections were criticized for being conducted in a restricted environment that limited credible sources of information for voters. This pattern of censorship and restriction on media freedom raises worries about the future government's approach to free speech and media under Hun Manet's leadership, who is set to become the next prime minister.

Sources and further readings:

Cambodia: Access to independent media blocked. (2023, August 2). Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/08/02/cambodia-access-independent-media-blocked