Cambodian Prime Minister orders restrictions on news portals websites ahead of elections
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen orders internet service providers to restrict Radio Free Asia’s websites, accusing them of distorting the government’s reputation and failing to comply with information requirements.
In advance of legislative elections, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered internet service providers to restrict the websites of Radio Free Asia and other news portals. They were accused with distorting the government’s reputation and failing to adhere to the business requirements of the Ministry of Information by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Cambodia.
The regulator blocked access to several websites, including Radio Free Asia’s (RFA) Khmer and English websites, as well as their RFA’s Khmer language Twitter page. Additionally, they blocked the Kamnotra website, which shares users’ personal infromation, produced by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM).
RFA has denounced the restriction and called it a breach of Cambodian law and an attempt to control information before the election on 23 July 2023. Every democracy that upholds free speech and a free press needs access to timely, reliable news and information. RFA stated that during this crucial period it will continue to inform the citizens of Cambodia.
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