Journalists from various institutions attend a late 2024 press conference on the tourism and economic potential of Preah Sihanouk province. Hong Raksmey
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at shuttering Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and several other news organisations that receive funding from the US government.
The order also placed more than 1,300 employees of Voice of America (VOA) on administrative leave.
The executive order, issued late on Friday, March 14, mandates the reduction of non-statutory functions of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
Am Sam Ath, Operations Director of LICADHO, said the US has often criticised the decline of press freedom in Cambodia, yet its own actions — such as freezing or cutting off funding for VOA and RFA — have significantly impacted the media sector, especially independent journalism worldwide.
“In Cambodia, these two radio stations are widely followed, providing substantial amounts of information and serving as credible media outlets. The Trump administration’s decision affects press freedom, the right to information and freedom of expression,” he told The Post.
“The US is considered a champion of democracy and human rights, but this decision contradicts its stance on press freedom,” he added.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that the Trump administration’s freezing of funds for certain media organisations aligns with its policy of internal reform, which Trump announced during his election campaign.
He explained that while these media outlets reflect US government viewpoints, they may have become redundant in an era dominated by social media and artificial intelligence.
“Traditional media coverage appears outdated and requires significant financial support from the US. While these outlets serve as America’s voice, they sometimes provoke political controversy in other countries. As a result, some foreign governments accuse them of being tools of US political influence,” Yang Peou said.
He added that Trump likely believes the press should not play a role in the diplomatic efforts of his administration.
Peou argued that this media cutback could be viewed as a positive in countries that feel misrepresented by US-funded outlets.
He claimed that Cambodia already has sufficient press freedom and also pointed out that US policies frequently change with each new president.
“The strong always determine justice. As a superpower, the US can act as it wishes and dictate terms to others. If we look at past US-led wars, such as the Iraq invasion or the Vietnam War, we must ask whether those interventions truly brought freedom to those nations,” he said.
He asserted that US actions have instead caused destruction, including political instability, economic downturns and the depletion of natural resources, affecting countries like Cambodia.
Tep Asnarith, a spokesman for the Ministry of Information, explained that the media landscape is constantly evolving, both domestically and internationally.
Economic challenges, the rise of digital platforms,and political factors have led to the closure of various media outlets worldwide.
“The decision by the US president to halt funding for certain media organisations has affected agencies within the US Global Media network. The justification given is to save government funds, improve efficiency and eliminate corruption,” Asnarith said.
However, Sam Ath warned that despite a shift toward digital platforms, traditional media should not be neglected, as many outlets are also adapting to the digital age.
Asnarith cited sources claiming that, according to Trump, these agencies do not serve American society’s interests but function as tools of US politics.
“This is a turning point, raising questions about whether the US decision undermines press freedom and threatens journalists within affected agencies. Media organisations and relevant stakeholders must now assess how to reflect this development in their reporting,” he said.
He also pointed out that Cambodia’s traditional media landscape — comprising newspapers, radio and television stations — has experienced closures due to financial difficulties and the expansion of modern media.
Despite these challenges, state-owned media and private media in Cambodia have adapted to technological advancements and the demands of a digital society.
“Under the leadership of Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra, Cambodia’s state media has been revived after a 17-year hiatus, in contrast to some countries where traditional and state media have shut down,” he said.
He noted that the information ministry continues to encourage journalists and media organisations to enhance their professional skills, seek collaboration between the public and private sectors, and promote Cambodia’s media and audiovisual industries.
Asnarith emphasised that the closure of US-funded agencies has had no impact on Cambodia’s media sector, which currently comprises 1,620 traditional and modern media outlets, 26 other media organisations and more than 8,000 journalists who work “freely and safely under ethical journalism standards”.
Meanwhile, Sam Ath noted that some governments welcome the shutdown of these US-backed media outlets, as it eliminates sources that were sometimes critical of their policies.
