CNN
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one of of cambodia The last remaining independent media outlets have been shut down by Prime Minister Hun Sen ahead of national elections in July, condemned by rights groups as a blow to press freedom.
Based in the capital Phnom Penh, Voice of Democracy (VOD), a local outlet run by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, published radio and online reports about labor and rights. issuesenvironmental crime and political corruption,
It reported last week that Hun Manet, the prime minister’s son, allegedly signed an agreement to donate aid to Turkey, which was killed by a devastating earthquake Last week. The report pointed to a clear overstep of his authority.
Hun Sen denied the report and released statement on facebook The outlet accused him of assaulting his son and hurting the “dignity and reputation” of the Cambodian government.
He also refused to accept an official apology from VOD and said that its newsroom staff “should look for jobs elsewhere.”
Government officials on Monday revoked VOD’s operating license and blocked its websites in English and Khmer.
Several VOD employees took to social media to share the news of the company’s sudden closure.
“It has reached its tipping point,” wrote Mech Dara, one of its reporters. on Twitter, “I (thought) we might have lived longer.”
He told CNN that many journalists are “still in shock” after Monday’s events.
He said, ‘We were expecting it to happen but not so soon. “We fought for the truth. We always have but clearly some people just couldn’t handle it.
“There are so many stories to tell from Cambodia within Cambodia and this extends to a wider region – countries like Myanmar and Vietnam,” he said. “It’s a space that’s getting narrower and narrower and voices are muffled so the outside world can’t see inside.”
“We have to face reality and the challenges that come with it but we will take it one day at a time.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet responded to CNN’s request for further comment about the VOD shutdown.
Hun Sen has served as the country’s prime minister since 1985, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
During his tenure, several independent newspapers and websites were shut down and dozens of opposition figures imprisoned or forced into exile.
“Voices of Democracy has for years served as an important mainstay of independent investigative reporting and objective criticism,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Hun Sen’s shutdown of VOD is a devastating blow to media freedom in the country and will have ramifications for Cambodian society.”
“The Cambodian people are the ultimate losers as they have lost one of the last remaining sources of independent news on issues affecting their lives, livelihoods and human rights.”
Amnesty International said the shutdown served as “a clear warning to other important voices” months before national elections in July.
It added, “The Prime Minister should immediately withdraw this onerous and disproportionate order.”
Cambodia’s exiled former opposition leader Sam Rainsy said the closure of VOD was “clearly politically motivated”.
“Pretty much all of Cambodia’s media is now government controlled,” he told CNN. “It also happens in the context of [the] Opposition supporters are being unfairly imprisoned and those working are routinely threatened.”
“Governments [around the world] Citizens should be educated about the dangers of [those in power in] Cambodia because the Cambodian government will not play its part in doing so.
Western ambassadors in the country expressed their concern over the closure of VOD.
“We are deeply troubled by the sudden decision to revoke VOD’s media license,” according to a statement from the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. “A free and independent press is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy, providing facts to the public and decision makers and holding governments accountable,” it added.
“We urge the Cambodian authorities to reconsider this decision.”
The German embassy said, “Germany believes in free access to information as the basis for free and fair elections.” “Press freedom in Cambodia has lost one of its last remaining independent media outlets.”