Incident
Cambodia: Prime Minister Hun Sen orders Voice of Democracy's license revoked over one article
Prime Minister Hun Sen personally ordered the license of independent outlet Voice of Democracy revoked over an article about an earthquake-aid agreement signed by his son, rejecting the outlet's published apology.123
What happened
On February 12, 2023, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Voice of Democracy had defamed him and his son Hun Manet in a February 8 article alleging Hun Manet exceeded his authority by signing a $100,000 earthquake aid agreement with Türkiye. Hun Sen initially demanded the outlet verify its facts and apologize within 72 hours. When Voice of Democracy published a further apology on the morning of February 13, Hun Sen said on social media that he was standing by his order to revoke its license, and the Ministry of Information revoked it that day. Voice of Democracy's associate editor, Ananth Baliga, said the closure of independent media would leave corruption unchecked and let those in power act without restraint. The outlet had operated for more than a decade as one of Cambodia's few independent Khmer- and English-language news sources.123
The license revocation took effect February 13, 2023; the source reviewed does not report a reversal.123
What reason was given
Stated justificationHun Sen said Voice of Democracy "intentionally slandered him and his son Hun Manet" in the February 8 article about the earthquake aid agreement.1
What changed for reporting
One of Cambodia's few remaining independent news outlets lost its operating license entirely over a single article, ending more than a decade of publication.2
Timeline
2023
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Hun Sen | ordered | Prime Minister of Cambodia |
Outlets and journalists
| Name | Kind | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Voice of Democracy | outlet | affected |
| Ananth Baliga | journalist, Voice of Democracy | affected |
Sources
- Cambodian authorities shutter Voice of Democracy news outlet
- Cambodia's Hun Sen orders shutdown of independent local news outlet
Claims and evidence
Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.
- Hun Sen said the outlet had slandered him and his son over the earthquake aid article.
intentionally slandered him and his son Hun Manet
Cambodian authorities shutter Voice of Democracy news outlet, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2023-02-13.Claim 516, checked 2026-09-22. - Voice of Democracy's associate editor said the absence of independent media would let corruption go unchecked.
The absence of independent media will only allow corruption to go unchecked and those in positions of power to run amok.
Cambodian authorities shutter Voice of Democracy news outlet, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2023-02-13.Claim 517, checked 2026-09-22. - The license was announced revoked the Sunday after the article ran and took effect Monday morning despite a second apology.
Hun Sen 'replied on Facebook saying he was standing by his closure order.'
Cambodian authorities shutter Voice of Democracy news outlet, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2023-02-13.Claim 583, checked 2026-09-22.