Phnom Penh – 25 June 2026. Cambodia’s Supreme Court has upheld the treason convictions of two journalists sentenced to 14 years in prison, intensifying concerns over press freedom in the country.

The ruling came after a brief hearing in Phnom Penh, confirming the punishment handed to Phorn Sopheap of Battambang Post TV Online and Pheap Pheara of TSP 68 TV Online. Both men were arrested last July after posting photographs of border clashes with Thailand on Facebook, including images of land mines in a restricted military zone.

Rights groups condemned the decision. Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, described the case as “bogus prosecution and draconian prison sentences,” accusing Prime Minister Hun Manet’s government of criminalising journalism. Cambodian watchdog Licadho argued the men should have been tried under the country’s press law, which carries lighter penalties.

Officials defended the verdict. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, insisted the court acted independently, saying the law protects journalism while safeguarding national security. He stressed that freedom of expression “is not unlimited, nor does it provide immunity from criminal liability.”

The convictions stem from allegations that the journalists supplied information prejudicial to national defence. Their photographs were widely republished in Thai media, fuelling claims that Cambodia had laid new mines along the border — accusations Phnom Penh denies, insisting it adheres to international bans on land mines.

The clashes last year displaced hundreds of thousands on both sides of the frontier and left around 100 soldiers and civilians dead. A ceasefire in December halted fighting, but tensions remain high.

The ruling follows another controversial decision by the Supreme Court last week, which upheld the incitement conviction of opposition politician Rong Chhun. Observers say the back‑to‑back cases highlight a broader pattern of legal pressure against critics and independent voices.

Cambodia ranked 161st out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, placing it among countries where the situation is deemed “very serious.” Despite Hun Manet’s rise to power in 2023, succeeding his father Hun Sen, rights groups argue little has changed in the government’s approach to dissent.

The verdict has drawn renewed calls from international journalism associations urging Cambodia to withdraw the case and respect press freedoms.

-2026-06-26

Life under a despotic regime.

About the same as North Korea for freedom of individuals.