Cambodia / Asia

  
Uon Chhin, left, and Yeang Sothearin, former journalists for Radio Free Asia, leave prison in Cambodia after being freed on bail. Both still face espionage charges. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

Cambodian journalists released on bail but espionage charges remain

Bangkok, August 21, 2018–Two former Radio Free Asia journalists were granted bail in Cambodia today by Phnom Penh’s Municipal Court, according to news reports. Uon Chhin, a videographer, and Yeang Sothearin, previously a news editor at the U.S. Congress-funded station, were arrested on November 14, 2017 and held in pre-trial detention until their release today.…

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An official on July 29 counts ballots at a polling station in Phom Penh after polls have closed in Cambodia's general election. Cambodia's government blocked news websites ahead of the national election, according to reports. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

CPJ condemns pre-election news censorship in Cambodia

Bangkok, July 30, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the Cambodian government’s move to block news websites ahead of yesterday’s national elections and called for an end to the state’s censorship and harassment of the media.

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A National Election Committee officer in Phnom Penh shows the logo of the ruling Cambodian People's Party during a bid to determine the order of political parties on ballot papers ahead of the country's July election. Cambodia is cracking down on the press ahead of the elections, according to reports. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

CPJ condemns election news restrictions in Cambodia

Hong Kong, June 4, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned today proposed restrictions on news coverage of upcoming elections in Cambodia and called on the country’s authorities to allow the media to report freely without fear of reprisal.

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Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, pictured in November 2017. Two former RFA journalists are detained in Cambodia as the country cracks down on the press ahead of elections. (Reuters/Erik De Castro)

Two former Radio Free Asia journalists detained in Cambodia

Bangkok, November 16, 2017–Two former reporters with the U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Asia were detained in Cambodia on November 14 on suspicion of illegally producing and disseminating news, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Cambodian authorities to immediately release the pair and drop any charges against them.

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A woman buys the final issue of the Cambodia Daily newspaper at a store in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, September 4, 2017. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

Two journalists charged with incitement in Cambodia

Bangkok, October 10, 2017– The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the legal harassment of Aun Pheap and Zsombor Peter, two journalists who worked for the shuttered Cambodia Daily, and calls on Cambodian authorities to drop all charges against the pair.

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Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 28, 2017. The U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) has suspended its news operations in Cambodia amid a rising clampdown on independent media under Sen. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

Radio Free Asia suspends operations in Cambodia

Bangkok, September 14, 2017–The U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) has suspended its news operations in Cambodia amid a rising clampdown on independent media, according to news reports.

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The Phnom Penh newsroom of English-language newspaper, The Cambodia Daily. The paper has closed over pressure from officials over allegations of tax evasion. (AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)

Prominent newspaper folds under official pressure in Cambodia

Bangkok, September 5, 2017–The Cambodia Daily stopped publication yesterday under official threat of forced closure over allegations of tax evasion, according to a statement released by the paper. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the silencing of the newspaper and called for an end to Cambodia’s harassment of all independent media.

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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, pictured in Phnom Penh, in June 2017. In the country's latest crackdown on foreign media, authorities have started an investigation into an American freelancer. (AP/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia accuses American journalist of espionage

Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior said on August 28, 2017 that it has opened an investigation into accusations spread in local pro-government media that American freelance journalist Geoffrey Cain is involved in a conspiracy to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen’s elected administration, according to local language news reports.

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Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, pictured at the World Economic Forum in May 2017, is pressuring The Cambodia Daily to pay a disputed tax bill or close. (AFP/STR)

Cambodia threatens to shutter newspaper on tax evasion accusation

Bangkok, August 24, 2017–Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen should revoke his threat to forcibly close The Cambodia Daily newspaper and stop using unproven tax evasion allegations to pressure and threaten the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalists crowd around Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in the province of Kandal, September 1, 2016, as he registers to vote in local elections scheduled for June 4, 2017. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

Cambodian minister threatens to close media outlets that defy sweeping election rules

Bangkok, May 19, 2017–Cambodian authorities should allow media outlets to cover local elections freely and without fear of closure for running afoul of overly broad guidelines restricting election coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Cambodian Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith last week threatened to shutter media outlets that disobey guidelines for covering the…

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