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#NEWSUPDATE: PM Hun Sen shuts down VOD, one of Cambodia's last independent news outlets
#NEWSUPDATE 🚨 PM Hun Sen shuts down VOD, one of Cambodia's last independent news outlets
🔇 The license of VOD, or Voice of Democracy, was revoked on Monday morning upon Prime Minister Hun Sen's order. It came after the outlet reported that a $100,000 aid package for Turkey earthquake had been approved by Hun Manet, Hun Sen's son, when the procedures require it must be signed off by the PM only.
💻🚫 The story, according to Hun Sen, "damaged the reputation" of the Cambodian government, and he demanded an apology from VOD. Even though the media outlet explained that the information was based on a quote from a government spokesperson, Hun Sen was not satisfied and ordered the closure of the organization, further closing the country's civic space ahead of the general election in July.
✊ Manushya Foundation vehemently condemns the Cambodian government's attempt to censor critical voices, which presents a threat to free speech and further erodes the country's democracy. We urge that governments across Southeast Asia respect free press and #StopDigitalDictatorship!
References:
BBC, Cambodia's Hun Sen shuts down independent media outlet Voice of Democracy, 13 February 2023, available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64621595
Radio Free Asia, Cambodia shutters Voice of Democracy in latest move to wipe out dissent, available at: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/closure-02132023165227.html