The government of Cambodia has ordered internet providers to block access to news websites and social media accounts of at least three independent news outlets ahead of its general election on July 23.

A letter dated July 12 and obtained by VOA Khmer on Tuesday revealed the government’s clandestine order to limit access to factual and independent information by blocking at least nine websites, internet domains and social media accounts belonging to Cambodia Daily Khmer, Radio Free Asia, and others.

In the letter, the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia disclosed that the free operation of the outlets could “make confusion, affect the government’s honour and prestige, and fail to fulfil the operating conditions of the Information Ministry.”

The order to internet service providers (ISPs) appears to specifically target news outlets that operated as independent entities under the United States Agency for Global Media. While they publish in Khmer and English, they are headquartered outside Cambodia and cannot be easily intimidated.

Komnotra, a news agency whose operating premises had previously been closed down, also saw a new wave of restrictions, with their Twitter account and website blocked. The agency was recently launched and run by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM).

Chief communication officer of Radio Free Asia, Rohit Mahajan, condemned the move on Monday evening, stating that the rule violates Cambodian law.

“Access to timely, accurate news and information, which RFA’s programming and content provided to the Cambodian people on a daily basis, is essential in any democracy where the rule of law supports free speech and a free press.

Despite these unfortunate efforts, RFA will keep striving to inform its audience in Cambodia with up-to-the-minute journalism during this critical time and beyond,” he said.