The run up to Press Freedom Day, on May 3, has seen the Cambodian government make numerous arrests for alleged fake news posts and the arrest an online journalist for reporting the prime minister’s speech, with officials justifying these actions in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Media organizations, reporters, editors and rights groups have expressed serious concern over Cambodian government’s continuing crackdown on journalists and curtailment of freedom of expression for Cambodian citizens.
Soth Sokprathna, a reporter at Voice of Democracy, said since 2017, when the government launched a crackdown on the opposition and independent media organizations, he has been concerned about reporting in a restrictive environment, causing him to be overly cautious in his reporting.
