Phnom Penh (FN), September 28 - At the commemoration of the deaths of journalists in Cambodian Civil War on Thursday morning, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith once again announced that the ministry did not shut down RFA, but the radio did not fully abide the law and decided to close office.

He said that RFA staff with a valid card can retrieve the information as usual, but when the card expires, they will continue to face the law.

"Media freedom in Cambodia is guaranteed by the constitution. If they do not have journalist’s license, they will be punished. We will accuse them of being a spy. If their card is valid, they are not wrong,” stated the minister.

The minister wants Radio Free Asia to have its own office in Phnom Penh so that when they broadcast inaccurately, the ministry will send a letter of suggestion. However, RFA did not want to make any changes or clarification, and that is why they decided to close the office.

RFA has closed its office in Cambodia on September 10, and its staff in Cambodia work individually by sending direct information to Washington D.C.

The closure was made while the Royal Government of Cambodia was taking an action on some news institutions that did not comply with the law and did not pay taxes to the state.
=FRESH NEWS