Cambodia lift ban on relaying foreign radio broadcasts by local radios

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - Cambodian Information Ministry issued a statement late Saturday to lift its ban on local radio broadcasts from relaying Khmer-language programs from foreign radio stations in the run-up to a general election on July 28.  

According to a statement signed by information minister Khieu Kanharith and announced on the state-owned National Television of Cambodia, local FM radio stations have rights to rent their broadcasting hours and can relay Khmer-language programs made by foreign radios.    

"Last night, the Ministry of Information decided to allow all FM radio stations to resume the rebroadcasting of foreign radios," the minister wrote in his Facebook account.

The ban removal was made following criticism from the United States on Friday.

US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters in Washington D.C. that the Cambodian information ministry's directive was a "serious infringement of freedom of the press and freedom of expression".

Cambodian information ministry's acting Minister Ouk Prathna on Tuesday issued a directive to ban all local FM radio stations from relaying and airing all Khmer-language programs of foreign radios during the entire 31 days of the pre-election campaign period and on July 28, the election day.

"The ban is to ensure media neutrality during the election campaign," the directive said.

Eight political parties have begun a month-long election campaign on Thursday towards a general election on July 28.

Three major parties among them are the ruling Cambodian People' s Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self-exiled leader Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Sam Rainsy, Prime Minister Hun Sen's main rival, fled the country in late 2009 before Cambodian court sentenced him to 11 years in prison in absentia for two charges-removing border poles and publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam and accusing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong of being a member of the Democratic Kampuchea.

He is unable to return to Cambodia for the election.

Political observers predict that Hun Sen's party will win a landslide victory in the upcoming polls.