Cambodian Leader Orders Shutdown of Independent Media Outlet
There were tears at Cambodia’s Voice of Democracy on Monday as journalist Khan Leakhena reacted to the sudden order to close the news website.
“I worked here not for money, but due to my love,” said Khan Leakhena, as others comforted the reporter.
Khan Leakhena is one of more than 30 journalists affected by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s order to revoke the outlet’s license.
The order is in response to the media outlet reporting on Cambodia agreeing to send $100,000 in humanitarian aid to Turkey after last week’s devastating earthquake.
Voice of Democracy reported that the prime minister’s son, Hun Manet, had signed an aid order on behalf of Cambodia’s leader. The leader and his son later denied that was the case and demanded an apology.
Voice of Democracy sent two letters to Hun Sen expressing “regret” and requesting “forgiveness [for] any unintentional wrongdoing.”
Sun Narin
