Andrew Nachemson

 

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan took to Facebook on Saturday to threaten to “crush” media entities that endanger “peace and stability”, citing US President Donald Trump’s treatment of the press as a justification for the warning.

 

Specifically naming news services Voice of Democracy, Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, the government spokesman told all “foreign agents” to “consider a new use of airtime as well as published stories” or risk being dismantled.

 

In the post, Siphan referenced the recent White House decision to exclude certain media outlets like CNN and the New York Times from attending a meeting in the press secretary’s office on Thursday.

 

read more http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/trump-ban-cited-media-threat

 

 

-- © Copyright Phenom Pen Post 27/02

PM warns of media anarchy

 

Prime Minister Hun Sen warned the media yesterday that he was determined to maintain social order, citing US President Donald Trump’s exclusion of some news outlets from a White House briefing. Speaking at a National Clean City Day event, Mr. Hun Sen repeated his opposition to any attempt to destroy peace in Cambodia. 
 

Speaking obliquely about the United States, a country that has often criticized the human rights situation in Cambodia, Mr. Hun Sen said he respected human rights, but opposed those who used those rights to destroy the nation. “Do not talk about rights,” he said. “The right to anarchy is the right to damage the nation.
 

“I acknowledge rights, but not the right to anarchy. I hope foreign partners understand this.”  He reminded his audience of Mr. Trump’s decision to ban certain media from a White House press briefing because Mr. Trump believed they considered him to be a dictator.

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/35929/pm-warns-of-media-anarchy/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 28/02

Trump establishing himself as a leader others wish to emulate. Unfortunately it is despots who are taking the cues. 

It's a sad day for America when despots like Hun Sen are quoting the US President to stifle a free press and suppress criticism of the regime.

Birds of a feather...

So fascism is alive and muzzling the press in Cambodia - Trump will give confidence to other despots to try to go down the censorship road - It is up to us all to speak out and make others aware of these developments and co-operate

JGV