Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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                US Condemns Cambodia's Ban on Foreign Broadcasts

   The United States has condemned a Cambodian government order that bars
   local radio stations from broadcasting foreign news programs before
   July's general election.
   The Cambodian information ministry has banned local radio stations from
   broadcasting content from foreign news media for 31 days prior to the
   July 28 election, in which Prime Minister Hun Sen will seek to extend
   his hold on power.  The directive also ordered stations to stop
   carrying reports on foreigners playing any role in the campaign.
   Among others, the restrictions affect U.S.-funded Voice of America and
   Radio Free Asia.
   U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell called the directive a
   serious infringement of press freedom and said it calls into question
   whether the vote will be free and fair. VOA Executive Editor Steve
   Redisch said reliable, accurate and balanced news and information are
   crucially important ahead of elections.
   Cambodia's information ministry denied there is a ban on foreign radio
   broadcasts, because international radio broadcasts from outside
   Cambodia, either short wave or medium wave, are unrestricted.
   The ministry said Saturday its action was intended to ensure unbiased
   election coverage by local FM and medium-wave radios. VOA said it is
   considering adding additional frequencies to its shortwave broadcasts
   to Cambodia in the days ahead.
   Until now, [1]VOA and RFA programs have been re-broadcast by many FM
   stations in Cambodia.
   A spokesman for Radio Free Asia has called the ban "the most sweeping
   and stunning frontal assault on media freedom in Cambodia in recent
   memory."
   Cambodia's Hun Sen is one of the longest-serving prime ministers in the
   world - in power since 1985, through a series of coalition governments.
   He is expected to win the July 28 election.
   A statement by the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees
   [2]VOA and RFA, can be seen on the Internet at
   www.bbg.gov/blog/2013/06/28/bbg-condemns-foreign-media-ban-in-cambodia/
   .
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   [3]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-condemns-cambodias-ban-on-foreign-
   broadcasts/1691816.html

References

   1. http://www.bbg.gov/blog/2013/06/28/bbg-condemns-foreign-media-ban-in-cambodia/
   2. http://www.bbg.gov/blog/2013/06/28/bbg-condemns-foreign-media-ban-in-cambodia/
   3. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-condemns-cambodias-ban-on-foreign-broadcasts/1691816.html