A sign of Cambodian Centre for Independent Media (CCIM), which runs the local media outlet Voice of Democracy (VOD), is seen after Prime Minister Hun Sen revoked the media outlet's operating license in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, February 13, 2023. - Reuters
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua): Cambodia said on Tuesday that the shutdown of the foreign-funded VOD (Voice of Democracy) radio over broadcasting "intentionally slanderous" information does not undermine the vibrant press freedom in the South-East Asian country.
In a press statement, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation squarely dismissed the politically-driven, prejudiced and biased concerns of some certain foreign embassies over the revocation of the VOD radio's license.
"An administrative action against a rule-breaking entity does not merit any worry at all," the spokesperson said, adding that "what should be alarming is the mounting disinformation and intentional slanders, which undermine the essence and principles of human rights and freedoms."
The spokesperson said it was regrettable that those missions' biased narrative turned their blind eyes to the indisputable fact that the media outlet grossly breached the profession of journalism, harmed honor and prestige of the Cambodian government, and refused to amend mistakes based on the provisions of the law on press regime.
A purported "free and independent press" is not a license to break the law with impunity, and independence cannot be divorced from responsibility and accountability, the spokesperson said.
"To claim that the organization offers fact-based reporting is both unfounded and prejudiced. The truth is it engaged in spreading fake news and fabricating Cambodia's internal affairs on humanitarian assistance delivery," the spokesperson said.
"The move against an unprofessional media outlet does not undermine the vibrant press freedom in the kingdom, but contributes to the strengthening of profession of journalism," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson's statement came after the United States and some other Western countries expressed concerns over Cambodia's decision to revoke the VOD radio's license.
Cambodia's Ministry of Information on Monday officially cancelled the VOD radio's license for "gross professional misconduct." The ministry said the radio's "intentionally slanderous" report and failure to run corrections in accordance with the law on press regime have tarnished the "reputation and prestige of the government." - Xinhua
