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Recent moves by the Cambodian government to crack down on independent media, including broadcasters and newspapers, is seen by analysts and activists as a key step by the government to consolidate control ahead of national elections in 2018.

The tougher approach by the Cambodian government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen in power for more than three decades comes against a backdrop of growing opposition support, especially among younger voters.

Allegations of a campaign against human rights

Rights activists also point to a broad strategy by the government against both the media and rights activists.

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development condemned the recent attacks against civil society organizations and the free media.

"These repressive measures come at a critical juncture for Cambodia and severely compromise the legitimacy and fairness of next year's election," Asian Forum said in a statement.

The group also pointed to the killing of activist Kem Ley in July 2016, as well as detention of other opposition politicians, as adding to a "culture of fear spreading in the country."

Campaign takes many forms

The media crackdown has included imposition of a $6.3 million tax bill against the English-language Cambodia Daily, a newspaper published since 1993, with the paper being forced to shut down if the payment is not met by Sept. 4.

Other targets included Cambodian radio stations broadcasting U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America (VOA), with the government claiming the outlets failed to have the correct licenses, charging the offices were unregistered with the authorities.

In late August, Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the closure of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), in international development and democracy organization, ordering the institute's foreign staff to leave the country before month's end.

Billy Chai-Lung Tai, an independent analyst with Human Rights and Project Management, said the moves against the media marked a tougher line by the government on the media and public debate.

Analyst says China is a factor

"The gloves are off, so to speak," Chai-Lung Tai said in an email to VOA. He added the government was also less reticent now about maintaining "a semblance of upholding human rights to show the [international aid] donors anymore."

Cambodia has become less dependent on Western foreign development assistance in recent years as the economy has grown and the Cambodian government has built closer ties with China.

Charges that government fears elections

Nathan Thompson, president of the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC), said the 2018 elections are the main reason for the media crackdown.

"The ruling party is terrified of losing the 2018 elections and so they crack down on all opposing voices," Thompson told VOA in an email. He pointed to opposition gains in local elections, which "served to only increase their paranoia."

He said there were also fears the government may tighten visa rules and work permits, making it easier for the government to deny visas to freelance journalists and foreign correspondents.

Human Rights Watch charges

Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said the government was acting dictatorially to control the media and wipe out opposition political leaders and critical nongovernment organizations (NGOs) "in a barrage of bogus criminal charges heard by judges beholden to [the prime minister]."

Robertson said the strategy by Hun Sen is to "stifle all the remaining independent media outlets, whether they be radio or newspapers, before the real campaigning starts for the July 2018 election."

In a May commentary, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) noted the Cambodian government had also drawn on the new U.S. administration's "more hostile rhetoric and policies regarding the [U.S.] media."

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) said the government should first clarify new regulations "rather than immediately launch a crackdown as a first action."

SEAPA director Edgardo Legaspi called the government's policy a "systematic attack" at silencing independent media and called on the international community to press the government over the recent crackdown.

"It is important for the international community to voice their concern on the recent events in order to convince the Cambodian government to adopt a more reasonable approach for their all-too-sudden concern about taxation or reporting airtime buyers," Legaspi told VOA.

"We must call for the immediate reinstatement of the programming of the canceled radio programs," he said.

Low 'freedom of press' ranking

Cambodia remains lowly ranked in terms of press freedom with the media watchdog Freedom House, which classifies Cambodia's media as "not free," while in 2016 Reporters without Borders placed Cambodia at 128 out of 182 countries for the freedom afforded to its press.

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights said journalists often found themselves "victim to physical attacks, judicial harassment and even murder."

CCHR said since 1994 14 journalists have been killed in Cambodia with most of the killings carried out "with complete impunity," creating a "climate of fear among Cambodian journalists and political commentators."

The Cambodian government did not respond to requests for comment.

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Cambodian Media Crackdown Seen as Key Step by Government Ahead of 2018 Elections - Voice of America

Gustavo Hernandez is a local Venezuelan journalist reporting for the online outlet Caracas Chronicles. He and his colleagues are working to cover the situation in Venezuela as the government tightens its control over traditional media sources.

DW: What is the situation right now for journalists on the ground in Venezuela?

Gustavo Hernandez: The situation in Venezuela over thelast few months has deteriorated tothe lowest point and has made it almost impossible forjournalists to work onthe streets. In the last two months, the security forces -the national guard, police and intelligence services have become more aggressive against journalists and have literally made them targets.

We have seen multiple cases of journalists being attacked using tear-gas canisters and even cases of journalists being shot at. We also have cases or journalists whose equipment has been confiscated or damaged. We have cases of journalists who have been detained forhours at military installations without access to lawyers. They were eventually released. We have cases of journalists who have been threatened by security forces fordoing their jobs.

This situation is not new. We have had situations like this since 2014 but not to the scale that we are seeing today.

President Maduro has labelled journalists who have criticized him as 'terrorists.'

Is it safe for journalists to cover the protests now in Venezuela?

Well it is very tricky for journalists right now even if you have proper identification. Colleagues nowhave to do their jobs wearing bullet-proof vests, helmets and gas masks. The national guard is now working to stop any journalists from covering the protests and will take away equipment or break equipment to make sure that journalists cannot cover the protests in Venezuela.

Over the past couple of years the government has taken control of the traditional media: radio, television and to a certain degree the written press.

The consequence of this is the growth of new digital media who are doing the heavy bulk of the coverage of the protests. But they are now also being targeted by the government and by the media authorities who want to regulate digital and social media. They have even accused some outlets of distributing "terrorist messages and are now asking internet service providers to block access to such sites in Venezuela.

The government has also acted against international broadcasters. CNN en Espanol was taken off the air in Venezuela in February because they were accused of being against Venezuela. It can only be seen now online.

And to add insult to injury, Venezuela has the slowest internet speeds on the continent.

So how are Venezuelans accessing information about what is happening in the country?

The most important tool right now for Venezuelans to get informed is social media. The former head of Conatel, the country's national communication regulator, has suggested that social media should be heavily regulated. They are calling for the tools to fight so-called terrorists.

Right now the government cannot do anything because they do not control the national assembly. But now with this new constitutional assembly, the government can take steps to control social media. President [Nicolas] Maduro has said that he intends to go after those who criticize him on social media and there have been cases of people who have been detained by security forces because of what they published on social media.

If there have been threats against publishing on social media, why are people still doing so?

Venezuelans have a hunger for information about what is happening in their cities, their neighborhoods. Traditional media is heavily self-censored. There is legislation that controls what is reported and it is very vague, very ambiguous on what can and cannot be said. So broadcasters are very cautious about what they say so that they do not risk losingtheir broadcast license.

Gustavo Hernandez is a journalist in Venezuela

For example there was very little media coverage of the election of the constitutional assembly in the country. There were threats against media companies by the electoral commission not to broadcast certain information related to the election.

How are Venezuelans reacting to this new media situation?

Sadly we have to deal with this new reality now. At any moment there could be arrests of journalists by the national guard. The fear has become real. We are seeing a new, unprecedented wave of repression in Venezuela not seen since the last dictatorship we hadmore than 50-60 years ago. Sadly journalism has to adapt to this new reality.

This commentary is a part of DW's Freedom of Speech Project which aims to highlight voices from around the world on the topics of freedom of expression and press freedom. You can also follow the project on Facebook. Interview by Ole Tangen Jr.

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Reporting in Venezuela: 'The fear has become real' - Deutsche Welle

For two years between 2011 and 2013 images of protesters in Egypt were a constant feature on news channels internationally.The streets of Cairos downtown district transformed into huge waves of demonstrators, demanding thatleaders listen to the will of Egyptians. Yet walking through the traffic-clogged streets of downtown Cairo today, there is little evidence left that such extraordinary and regular demonstrations were once the norm.

The space for dissent has shrunk drastically in Egypt in recent years. Observers says the country is experiencing repression with a greater severity than what Egyptians experienced under the military dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled in the heady and hopeful days of Egypts revolution in 2011 by popular protest.

Ever since the revolution seemingly endedin 2013 after the presidency of Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypts first democratically elected president was prematurely cut short by the military following popular protests Egypt has been in the throes of a brutal and wide-ranging crackdown on dissent.

It has ensnared political opponents, activists, judges and journalists. Human Rights Watch estimates that there are at least 40,000 political prisoners languishing in Egypt. And protesting the tool through which Egyptians fought for their rights for two years has become near impossible after a law introduced in late 2013 placed restrictions on demonstrations.

There are so few left to challenge the Egyptian regimes authority, and those that are have had their ability to do so significantly crippled by the Egyptian regime. Yet the regime under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was head of the army when Morsi was removed before becoming president in 2014, has this year displayed its intent to quieten the remaining dissenting voices, no matter how debilitated they already are, marking a new phase in the crackdown.

It has been a difficult phase, one Egyptian journalist told Crikey aboutworking for Mada Masr an independent news website in Egypt. The journalist, who asked not to be named out of concerns for their safety, was referring to the blockade of websites including Mada Masr known for its critical coverage of the government which the authorities startedin May.

Whilst Mada Masr is still available through use of some proxies, and the publication has also resorted to publishing its articles on social media, the journalist admits there is uncertainty overthe publications future. We are still not certain if there is an investigation against Mada or not, and we do not know if we will ever be back online or not, theysaid.

It has turned out to be a massive assault on internet freedoms in Egypt: initially 21 news sites were blocked, including international sites like Al Jazeera and the Huffington Post Arabic, as well as Egyptian ones like Mada Masr. Since then the number of websites blocked has increased to 127, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and has widened in scope. Its now expanded to rights groups like Reporters Without Borders and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information as well as VPNs making it harder to access the blocked websites through other means.

While press freedoms have been significantly eroded the past few years and censorship has been on the rise, the CPJ says that online censorship was nevertheless rare in Egypt.

And its not just the media that has been targeted of late. Human Rights Watch says the internet crackdown is part of a wider effort by the regime in intensifying repression of basic freedoms in Egypt.

Since April the authorities have been arresting political activists including the prominent rights lawyer, Khaled Ali, who announced in February that he was considering challenging Sisi in next years presidential elections. As of June, 190 political activistshave been arrested.

In late April Sisi strengthened his control over Egypts courts when he ratified reforms giving himself new power to appoint the most senior members of the judiciary. The move which analysts say was done to prevent the promotion of two rebellious judges has beencriticised by judges and rights groups, who say it endangers the remaining semblance of independence in Egypts judiciary.

The following month, Sisi turned his attention to civil society. He ratified a controversial NGO law that rights groups say criminalises the work of NGOs and makes it difficult for them to operate independently. The law marks an extension on the crackdown within the NGO community to developmental organisations too, says Mohamed Zaraa, a member of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies.

Several human rights organisations, including Zaraas own, have long been targeted by this regime through a long running legal investigation on charges of using foreign funding to destabilise Egypt. I think this law isnt targeting human rights organisations, but civil society at large, said Zaraa, who like many activists has been slapped with a travel ban.

Analysts say that this new phase in the repression is because Sisi is looking to consolidate his position ahead of next years presidential elections. Its widely believed to have also been timed to remove critics ahead of a controversial parliamentary vote in June on Sisis decision to cede control of two Red Sea islands to its powerful ally Saudi Arabia. The widely unpopular pact even deemed treacherous by some sparked rare street protests against the regime last year when it was announced.

Some observers suggest the President, who appears sensitive to criticism, has also been left feeling insecure about public criticism over cuts in food and fuel subsidies, and rising inflation, after last years IMF loan agreement. He has also faced criticism over his security strategy after four deadly attacks by the Islamic State group on Egypts Copts since December.

Sisi faces little pressure from Western leaders on human rights, as European powers like France, Germany, the UK and the EU itself havemoved to strengthen ties with Egypt in recent years, deeming it a vital strategic partner.

The presidency of Donald Trump, who appeared to have quickly developed a close bond with Sisi, evidenced by Trump complimenting Sisi on his nice shoes,has also given him confidence at home, says Amro Ali,professor of sociology at the American University in Cairo.

It all boils down, in large part, to the Trump effect. When Trump told Sisi nice shoes, it was a signal to Sisi, metaphorically, to use them to further trample on human rights, Ali said.

There is something banal about the Trump small talk and avoidance of serious issues (not that we have high expectations of Trump anyway) that has emboldened Egypts usual widespread crackdowns to shift gear into destroying potential, rather than actual, threats. From arresting dormant activists to blocking websites, among other things.

But in a surprise move lastweek the US cut or delayed close around $300 million in aid to Egypt. The US State Department said that this was because of the NGO law and deterioration in human rights in Egypt, though the New York Times reported this could also be down to Egypts ties to North Korea.

This may yet provide a glimmer of hope for exhausted opponents of the Sisi regime, like activist Zaraa who says international pressure is key to alleviating their plight or at least preventing it from getting even worse. If there is no [international] pressure he said, then definitely the crackdown will continue.

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Egypt's government tightens authoritarian control, blocks dissenting ... - Crikey (registration)

News Corpwill not be allowed to buy an Australian television network other than the Ten Network, even if media-ownership laws are changed, industry executives believe.

Despite strong opposition from media competitors, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approved Lachlan Murdoch's failed plan to buy the Ten Network.

Receivers PPB Advisory and administrator Korda Mentha surprised the market by agreeing to sell Ten toUS media giant CBS on Monday.

If Mr Murdoch or his family company, News Corp, wanted to buy a different television network instead they would be unlikely to get ACCC approval, industry sources said.

A source close to News Corp denied it was interested in buying the Nine Entertainment Co, which doesn't have a single large shareholder that could block the sale of the company.

Seven West Media, which owns the Seven network, is controlled by West Australian entrepreneur Kerry Stokes, who has shown no interest in selling his top-ranked television stations.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims declined to comment Tuesday but last week said Mr Murdoch was cleared to buy Ten because an alliance with News Corp's media outlets, which include most of Foxtel, Sky News and many newspapers, wouldn't have a big impact on how much news is produced.

Unlike Seven and Nine, the Ten Network doesn't have a high-rated evening news broadcast or well-read online news site, Mr Sims said.

"It might have been a different result if this had been about Channel Nine or Seven, which have a strong online presence and a much stronger evening news," he said on ABC radio.

"This decision doesn't mean let her rip. One can't draw a conclusion that similar transactions will be treated in the same way."

Even though Mr Murdoch, who is News Corp's co-chairman, planned to buy the Ten network in a personal capacity with billionaire Bruce Gordon, sources said plans were well advanced at News Corp to integrate some of Ten's operations before Monday's surprise decision to sell the company to CBS.

Sky News would have produced Ten's evening news, they said, and Fox Sports would have helped produce Ten's sports coverage. The two companies already share the broadcast rights for rugby, supercars and soccer.

Ten and Foxtel use the same company to sell advertising, Multi Channel Network. Given News Corp is likely to see a CBS-owned Ten as a direct competitor, it is unclear if that arrangement will continue.

Taking control of a commercial television network would have locked in a customer for 21st Century Fox, a television and movie company controlled by the Murdoch family, and allowed it share existing costs such as studios, offices and salespeople.

Media-ownership rules don't allow News Corp to own an Australian television network, apart from Foxtel, although Mr Murdoch had worked out a structure using options that would have allowed him to get around the law, which the Coalition government is trying to change, sources said.

News Corp and Fairfax Media, publisher of The Australian Financial Review, have both been campaigning for a change to the law.

Opponents, including the Labor Party and Greens, fear liberalisation would give more power to News Corp, which owns about two-thirds of Australia's newspapers by circulation.

News Corp's publications had a history of giving Ten positive coverage while Mr Murdoch was a shareholder and chairman.

That seemed to change on Monday when The Australian website published an article about the network headlined "Same sex marriage: Network Ten admits doctoring controversial footage".

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News Corp doesn't have a second television option - The Australian Financial Review

What will it take for Donald Trump to pass the test?

With the president and first lady arriving in Texas today, will the journalists who questioned whether Trump could handle Hurricane Harvey at least give him credit for showing compassion?

He is, at the very least, avoiding the symbolic mistake of George W. Bush in flying over New Orleans after Katrina. (Bush later admitted this was a huge mistake that made him look detached and uncaring.)

While Harveys catastrophic flooding is overwhelming authorities in Houston, Trump hasnt made any significant missteps so far. He held video conferences with senior officials from Camp David--with the White House sending out pictures to create an image of control.

Virtually every mainstream media outlet has been touting the hurricane as the first natural disaster test for Trump, often rooted in an assumption that a guy with no government experience has no idea how to deal with this. And its early in the process. If FEMA screws up, the president will rightly be criticized. But lets not jump the gun.

The real test, in my view, for a president whos been at war with both parties, is for him to pull together a Texas aid package on the Hill, because staggering amounts of money are going to be needed to rebuild these areas in the coming months and years. And in past battles over Katrina and Sandy, some Republicans have argued against federal disaster aid without offsetting spending cuts.

But as the hurricane drama plays out, the media are pursuing a parallel story line about Trump becoming more isolated within his administration.

(Interesting aside: The press is free to cover political controversies as the hurricane damage mounts, but if Trump, amid a series of Harvey messages, tweets about having won Missouri before visiting the state, some critics say aha, he doesnt care!)

Axios reports that the president is getting fed up with Rex Tillerson, a narrative that was fueled when the secretary of State spoke about the American peoples values on Fox News Sunday.

When Chris Wallace said, And the presidents values?, Tillerson replied: The president speaks for himself.

Pundits are coupling this with the fallout from chief economic adviser Gary Cohn speaking out against Trumps handling of Charlottesville.

At the same time, the media are increasingly focused on what the Wall Street Journal editorial page calls Trumps divorce from the GOP Congress. For example, Trump took a Twitter shot at Bob Corker after the Tennessee senator said he hadnt yet demonstrated the stability or competence to be successful.

And Republicans such as Paul Ryan and John McCain are criticizing Trumps during-the-hurricane pardon of former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio.

One thing is clear: Trump, as always, puts himself in the eye of the storm. And that may be his real test, long after the Houston floodwaters have receded.

Howard Kurtz is a Fox News analyst and the host of "MediaBuzz" (Sundays 11 a.m.). He is the author of five books and is based in Washington. Follow him at @HowardKurtz. Click here for more information on Howard Kurtz.

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During catastrophic flooding, press poses Trump hurricane 'test' - Fox News