The government ordered internet service providers to block the websites and social media pages of several independent media outlets and a public database in a July 12 document obtained by CamboJA on Monday.
The Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia-issued document sought to cut off access inside the country to the Cambodia Daily, Radio Free Asia and the newly launched public database Kamnotra, run by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM).
The media and database had “broadcast information to make confusion, affect the government’s honor and prestige, and failed to fulfill the operating conditions of the Information Ministry,” an unofficial translation of the document stated.
Service providers were told to block access to the Instagram and Twitter accounts of the Cambodia Daily, the Twitter account of Kamnotra, and the Youtube channel of the Cambodia Daily.
The document also referenced a July 11 letter from the Information Ministry, whose spokesperson Meas Sophorn confirmed to CamboJA over Telegram that the ministry had initiated the order.
Regarding Kamnotra, Sophorn stated that “[We] found that this website operated as a newspaper but did not fulfill its obligations in accordance with legal procedures and legal documents as a news agency.”
He did not elaborate further or respond to additional requests for comment or phone calls.
Following Kamnotra’s launch, the Information Ministry claimed that Kamnotra did not have an authorized media license.
CCIM media director Ith Sotheouth denied the database was a news outlet, explaining it was intended to compile existing public information, such as documents released in the Royal Gazette such as land grants, honorific titles and analysis of election data.
“Through our observation, some news websites which are critical of the government are blocked for the election, but unfortunately, even though Kamnotra’s sole purpose is to compile all the public records for everyone to access, it was still blocked,” Sotheouth said. “It is a loss to the benefit of the public.”
“Our goal at CCIM is to provide the Cambodian people with the information they need to make informed decisions,” Kamnotra stated on its website.
On Monday, Kamnotra released a statement on Twitter stating that the platform could not be accessed by some users, noting that the organization is “looking into the issue and working on ways for you to get data and insights from Kamnotra soon.”
CCIM launched Kamnotra at the end of June, after CCIM’s Khmer and English language news outlet Voice of Democracy (VOD) had its license revoked in February.
After VOD’s shutdown in February, the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia swiftly ordered all internet service providers to block access to the English and Khmer language sites. But internet service providers lagged to comply with the order, leading to sporadic access depending on the service provider. This appears to be the case with accessing Kamnotra and other sites as of Monday afternoon.
In March, three Khmer language news websites also had their license revoked for alleging land fraud connected to government officials.
In June, a former government official turned social media commentator issued death threats via his Facebook page against a Cambodia Daily reporter.
Major internet service providers such as Metfone, Sinet, Cellcard, WiCam, and Smart did not respond to requests for comment.
Post and Telecommunications Minister Chea Vandeth told CamboJA he was busy and could not answer questions.
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Post and Communication received questions sent by CamboJA via Telegram but did not respond.
Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia spokesperson Sithy Sieng did not respond to requests for comment.
RFA and 17 other media had their websites temporarily blocked before the 2018 elections. The Cambodia Daily was forced to close due to a large tax bill in 2017.
“RFA condemns the order from the government of Cambodia for internet service providers to block RFA content on online platforms – which is in clear violation of Cambodian law and an attempt to censor the free flow of information ahead of the July 23 election,” said Radio Free Asia Chief Communication Officer Rohit Mahajan.
Governments across Southeast Asia have sought to block websites, posts and individuals to stifle “critical dissent,” notes Dhevy Sivaprakasam, Senior Policy Counsel at digital rights NGO Access Now.
“In these cases, blocking these sources of independent information not only denies members of the public their rights to access such information, associate and participate in political discussion — it creates an air of trepidation, where people start to self-censor to protect themselves from any negative repercussions,” she said. “Even if groups jump to other platforms to continue their work, they lose time and followers — all while having to look over their back in their operations.”
Note: This article has been updated at 8pm ICT on July 17 to include comment from Access Now.
Note: This article has been updated at 12pm ICT on July 18 to include comment from Radio Free Asia.
